PIDDLING Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

piddling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpid-lən

Definition of piddling

as in nominal

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention raised one final, piddling objection to the plan

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piddling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of piddle

as in trifling

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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 piddling

Adjective

Then, the pandemic reduced the schedule to 60 games and Eddie got a piddling 37%. — Star Tribune, 3 Dec. 2020 Millions of additional claims are expected to stream in from around the country over the coming weeks, while hiring remains piddling. — Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2020 What’s particularly baffling is that Syria now produces a piddling amount of oil—about as much as Utah. — Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2019 That will make the current economic uncertainty look piddling. — Daniel W. Drezner, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2019 In the battle for mind share, in the Trumpian quest to be part of every conversation, the Pixel far outweighs its piddling sales. — Vlad Savov, The Verge, 16 Oct. 2018 Of those, only four rather piddling victories went the liberals’ way. — The Economist, 30 June 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piddling

Adjective

Their nominal wide players aren’t explosive wingers who sprint 50 yards in five seconds, but more languid players who like drifting infield and playing passing combinations.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Its most common glide bomb models are the FAB-250, FAB-500, FAB-1500, and FAB-3000, where the number corresponds to the nominal weight of the bomb in kilograms.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of nominal

Verb

But that still left the less-than-trifling matter of the second tier’s title to settle, as the teams were locked together on 97 points with one game still to play.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The rise may seem trifling, but staffers work long hours, and a caffeine budget is a necessity.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of trifling

Adjective

Ndoye didn't shoot on his first touch of the ball, though, and that slight hesitation to control the ball and gather for a shot left just enough time for Argentina to swoop in to block the shot.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026
England will be slight favorites given the amount of world-class quality supporting its star man.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of slight

Verb

But Ehlers has given Carolina a newfound level of offensive depth, especially given he’s meshed surprisingly well with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook, two veteran checkers who have been mucking and grinding for years on a team that does that better than anyone.

— James Mirtle, New York Times, 24 May 2026
In retirement, he’s gone back to that childhood, mucking the stalls and helping care for a menagerie that includes two horses, 10 mini goats, two mini pigs, a pair of horses and a bunch of chickens and dogs and cats.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Definition of mucking

Adjective

Less social cohesion A decade ago, crime was infrequent and petty.

— Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 9 July 2026
The general reaction to the policy has been overwhelmingly positive, Xue said, aside from some remarks on social media that charging for a smashed teacup was a petty move.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of petty

Verb

Speaking on Harvard Business School’s The Founder Mindset podcast, hosted by senior lecturer and serial entrepreneur Reza Satchu, the Shark Tank investor argued that anyone trying to balance a young company against the rest of their life is fooling themselves.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 June 2026
The other is fooling humans, particularly the dwindling number of journalists, critics, and other gatekeepers who are still capable of conferring legitimacy by paying attention.

— Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026

Definition of fooling

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

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Synonyms of piddling

adjective

verb

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