1
as in minor
lacking importance
judges are getting sick of people bringing frivolous lawsuits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Legal experts derided the lawsuit as frivolous and laughable, and CBS defended the newsmagazine and its editorial judgment on First Amendment grounds.
—
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Meanwhile, on a more frivolous note, Corriere dedicated a piece to the wedding’s security details.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 June 2025
The trial court, however, refused to consider the defendants' request on the basis that there was no evidence that the plaintiff filed his action was either frivolous or intended to harass the defendants.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Altman changes his protagonist to a subsistence farmer who watches people have ever more frivolous jobs – less physical work, less concrete roles, more creative noodling and more flexibility.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for frivolous
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Meanwhile, on a more frivolous note, Corriere dedicated a piece to the wedding’s security details.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 June 2025
The trial court, however, refused to consider the defendants' request on the basis that there was no evidence that the plaintiff filed his action was either frivolous or intended to harass the defendants.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Altman changes his protagonist to a subsistence farmer who watches people have ever more frivolous jobs – less physical work, less concrete roles, more creative noodling and more flexibility.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for frivolous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolous
Adjective
-
Green Day’s summer European run has not been without a few minor hiccups.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
-
Consumer prices were absolutely stable on average from 1800 to 1913, dispensing with minor yearly variation, and there was no income tax.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
One of Netflix’s big movie plays for July is the sequel to its very silly but very fun action fantasy film The Old Guard.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
-
None of that, however, excuses the silly and juvenile behavior of the Assembly’s majority Democrats last week when the chamber took up a resolution commemorating Pride month.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
This ultra-lightweight chair weighs just 3 pounds and packs into a carrying case the size of a small purse.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
-
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper and garlic powder.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Through goofy quips, energetic displays of enthusiasm, and consistent perseverance, Derek continues to push himself and his classmates toward a productive (and silly) semester of learning.—
Caroline Beck,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
-
Despite his affectionate nature and goofy charm, no one ever came to reclaim him—and no one has shown any interest in him since.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
This time, however, the mound visit had little effect.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2025
-
Map out revenue producing divisions by their profit and loss numbers, evaluate direct margins for the division, identify the weakest division that perpetually makes little or no direct margin and sacrifice them.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
The regime’s tyrannical efforts to control and extinguish their savings were futile against their newfound freedom money.—
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
The researchers said their findings should not suggest afforestation and carbon offsetting are futile.—
Hayley Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Abandoning a cash cow for an unproven idea is not a trivial undertaking.—
Zain Jaffer,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
Barbie; Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning; and F1: The Movie are intentionally trivial.—
Armond White,
National Review,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
For the latter, Robinson stopped singing at one point and, with deadpan delivery, suggested the only thing that helped with his mental health struggles was a Brazilian butt lift, before shaking his rear for the giddy crowd.—
jsonline.com,
jsonline.com,
4 July 2025
-
As triumphant as the album is, Kesha sounds even giddier when speaking about it.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frivolous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolous. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share