FRIVOLOUS Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

frivolous

adjective

ˈfri-və-ləs

Definition of frivolous

as in minor

lacking importance judges are getting sick of people bringing frivolous lawsuits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Wet paint auctions feel like a distant memory, with frivolous, speculative art buying, especially from 2020 to 2022, now being passé. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026 Are peaches now the perfect example of how pop culture, politics, and perfume merge into something that feels frivolous at first but reveals more about our cultural mindset and mood beyond the initial spritz? — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 19 June 2026 Fong described it as an affordability measure, saying frivolous lawsuits are driving up fares for riders. — Lauren Chapman, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026 Follies are, by definition, frivolous. — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for frivolous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolous

Adjective

On Thursday, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office charged Ramon with lewd and lascivious acts on a minor, police said.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
Many of those convicted committed only minor offenses, such as traffic violations, according to Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

— Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

Sevigny holds firm to Tatum’s hard-to-love jerkishness, which helps smooth over the serious arguments that can turn inadvertently silly (and amplifies the purely silly ones).

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
The post also included a sweet selfie with her two younger sons, with Mateo smiling widely and Ciro making a silly face for the camera.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

In contrast, instruments on the FireSat satellites will be able to detect small brush and roadside fires 16 feet across.

— Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the model Toni Garrn made a striking appearance in a blue-black bustier dress embroidered with small petals.

— Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

The film appears to mark a departure from Impacciatore’s recent roles that are imbued in her goofy, exuberant persona.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 July 2026
His core driving philosophy is love in all its variety — from darkest depths to goofiest heights, always delivered with desperation.

— Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Definition of goofy

Adjective

There may be shitty people afoot in Independence, but not in that little house, not tonight.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
The Lost Legends videos demonstrate that, as with anything artistic, the talent of creator is crucial to success in AI so, ironically, Hollywood has little to fear from the technology.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of little

Adjective

By the late 1970s, the brothers were exhausted by the work of being professional Rosenbergs, and starting to worry that the effort was futile.

— Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
On appeal, the Crown argued the trial judge erred by declining to order a fitness assessment before considering a stay and by concluding such an assessment would be futile.

— Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

Definition of futile

Browse Nearby Words

frivolity

frivolous

frivolousness

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Style

“Frivolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolous. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of frivolous

adjective

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