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 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 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 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

The projectile caused minor structural damage, but there were no injuries among the crew and the ship has continued its journey, the report said.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
The project cost is estimated at $85,000, according to a permit for minor tenant improvements submitted to the city.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

She’s seen during a dance rehearsal, a silly social media clip, and onstage from their Lollapalooza set, the latter of which came before her announcement in February to step away from Katseye.

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Starring British comedy favourites such as Kevin Eldon and Miranda Hart, Hyperdrive is a very silly show that ended up more like a workplace sitcom in space rather than the next Red Dwarf.

— William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

The division charged with keeping a handle on parasitic diseases had already been small, with only a few employees designated to parasite work.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
When states lose the authority to set their own food safety and agricultural standards, consumers and small farmers pay the price.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Dylan Mulvaney and Joe Locke get goofy at the world premiere after party for the new film Heartstopper Forever on July 14 in London.

— People Staff, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Don’t let his goofy nature fool you, though; Morman’s standing within the changing media landscape is a reflection of hard work.

— Nathan Lately, Time, 14 July 2026

Definition of goofy

Adjective

The latest appearance will do little to quell criticism of Infantino, who is standing currently unopposed for re-election as FIFA president.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 July 2026
At a press conference with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, government officials said that the fire had started unusually close to the community in Collins, leaving little time to respond.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of little

Adjective

Purists don’t care for the interruption in the game’s natural flow, but resistance remains futile as long as FIFA is in charge of ⌘+F’ing its way through the rule book.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026
An unusual scene unfolded at the beach in Los Angeles County on Thursday morning when a man who was wanted by police ran into the water and stayed in for over an hour in a futile attempt to escape, authorities said.

— Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of futile

Adjective

The poet begins to lose faith in his subject—why write about such a trivial matter as Europe descends into war?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
An industry-wide standard Microsoft invented to protect Windows, and later Linux, devices from firmware infections has been trivial to bypass for 13 of its 14 years of existence.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026

Definition of trivial

Adjective

Take the Midnight Rave at House of Yes, where attendees are giddy to support the promoters, Kseniya Sovenko and Mary Wolff, better known on social media as NYC Rave Girls.

— Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026
The late-morning sun peeked through a gauzy veil of fog, bright laughter echoing over the giddy whisper of tulle as the brides posed for pictures outside the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of giddy

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frivolity

frivolous

frivolousness

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“Frivolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolous. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of frivolous

adjective

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