frivolous

adjective

ˈfri-və-ləs How to pronounce frivolous (audio)
Definition of frivolousnext
1
as in minor
lacking importance judges are getting sick of people bringing frivolous lawsuits

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
lacking in seriousness or maturity when asked by the waiter if we wanted anything else that evening, we made a frivolous request for free drinks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of frivolous By contrast, to invoke Rule 11 the asserted cause of action has to be frivolous, meaning that there is literally no credible evidence and/or no legal authority to assert the cause of action. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 The decision followed the Columbia Association's ethics panel concluding that Greenberg, Emery, and Avery filed a frivolous ethics complaint. — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Her attorneys argued that the fee award would help to deter frivolous and retaliatory suits against accusers in the future. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 June 2026 This is the wrong time for a baseball stadium — or anything that looks frivolous or smacks of cronyism. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for frivolous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolous
  1. minor
  2. silly
  3. small
  4. goofy
  5. little
  6. futile
  7. trivial
  8. giddy
Adjective
  • Many higher education institutions have started offering classes focused on the burgeoning content creation industry over the past couple years, and several have certificate or minor programs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • On Friday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported two identical incidents of drone strikes on tankers in Hormuz a day earlier, causing minor damage but no casualties.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of minor
Adjective
  • But to make some generalization that all career women are psychotic because Glenn Close happened to be psychotic at the end of that movie is just silly.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Residents riding on two wheels in Overland Park might see some new silly signs along the city’s most popular paths and trails.
    — Taylor O'Connor August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • These vines will also happily wind their way around tree trunks and shrubs and fix themselves in place with small rootlets that take on a hairy appearance as poison ivy plants mature.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Tidy a corner and play a favorite song, letting a small routine remind everyone that care comes through simple, repeatable acts.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of small
Adjective
  • If the movie is more goofy than profound, that may be the point.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Haaland was one of the top scorers and most charismatic players at the World Cup held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and his imposing stature and goofy sense of humor sparked a wave of creative viral videos and memes.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of goofy
Adjective
  • The opening of an Auberge Collection property in the little town of Los Olivos is further proof of the area's status as a preeminent New World wine destination.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • So far, none of those efforts has been successful, and opponents say hunting would do little to address the most problematic bears that tend to live closer to residential neighborhoods.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of little
Adjective
  • Stuart Bloom’s futile efforts to right the space-time continuum will continue.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The central legal debate in the last stretch leading up to Mangione’s trial has revolved around who will get to participate in this perhaps futile—though understandable—interpretive exercise.
    — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of futile
Adjective
  • Small entries compound like deposits in an account; one observation is trivial, but a season of them adds up to a complete, specific picture that no year-end memory could match.
    — James Glover, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Justice John Dixon said Bauer Media had failed to show the claims made about Wilson were substantially true or trivial.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of trivial
Adjective
  • Phan has completed the course twice so far, earning the giddy right to hit a big buzzer at the end.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Bailey and Hedges should be giddy about programming PitchCom to account for everything their new battery mate can toss their way.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of giddy

Browse Nearby Words

frivolity
frivolous
frivolousness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frivolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolous. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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