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 In the tumultuous, post-COVID global landscape, there’s something fundamentally frivolous about getting wrapped up in your own personal dramas. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 Thousands of drivers are still buying new vehicles despite sky-high prices, but there's strong demand for advanced driver assistance, safety and comfort features that were once considered frivolous luxuries. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 The White House calls California’s suits ‘frivolous’ amid court battles. — Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2026 That paper trail is your best defense against frivolous damage claims. — Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for frivolous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolous

Adjective

Ayari returned to Fabian Hurzeler’s midfield alongside Pascal Gross in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw against Leeds United, having missed the 4-3 defeat at Chelsea with a minor injury.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
All co-defendants are accused of failing to protect a minor and negligence.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

That was a valuable lesson as the previous season, silly errors and lapses in concentration led to the side conceding goals that hamstrung their title ambitions.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Seen as silly, shrunken, and impractical, it’s considered the full-sugar Coca-Cola of jackets—all empty calories, no nutritional value.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

Then handle the smaller responsibilities competing for your attention.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Its compact permanent magnet motor enables a smaller pod diameter, reducing hydrodynamic drag while maintaining high propulsion performance.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

So when Billie and Issa get an actual offer for drinks with two firefighters who come to the house, Billie puts on a goofy British accent à la Issa and turns them down, choosing a quiet night at home with her friend instead.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
That was therapeutic for these professional dancers who got to be silly and goofy, but confidently.

— Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of goofy

Adjective

That’s right — after three straight Friday-night deadlines, Gameweek Four gets under way at 3pm on Saturday, handing you that little bit of extra time to agonise over the right moves for the next round of action.

— Ben Dinnery, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Jongmin Lee, a quantum sensing scientist at SNL, has been working to build an extremely small version of this device, one that consumes very little power and can be used in the field.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of little

Adjective

Requests for records from Princeton City Schools, Northwest Local Schools and Mason City Schools also largely proved futile.

— Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2026
In sick bay, M’Benga tries to remove the table and end his life so Chapel can give up on him, an effort that proves futile.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of futile

Adjective

Most of these alterations are trivial, although one major change, coming near the end, is a very bad idea.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
If Vance were to renounce Carlson over a matter as trivial as, say, Carlson’s oddly positive assessment of Adolf Hitler, what hope is there for society?

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of trivial

Adjective

With the film set to go into production in fall 2027 in Alberta, Canada, and Switzerland, Meier is giddy about the prospect of painting on a broader canvas than ever before.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
The attendees were hip, all ages, and slightly giddy, ready to have whales blow their minds.

— Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of giddy

Browse Nearby Words

frivolity

frivolous

frivolousness

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“Frivolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolous. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of frivolous

adjective

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