Synonyms of trifle

trifle 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrī-fəl 

as in nothing

something of little importance

let us not speak of trifles when our nation may be going to war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nothing
• triviality
• bagatelle
• small beer
• frippery
• picayune
• small change
• nonproblem
• shuck(s)
• naught
• child's play
• smoke
• pittance
• nothingness
• zero
• straw
• fudge
• bit
• tad
• peanuts
• bunk
• piffle
• humbuggery
• speck
• nonsense
• two bits
• claptrap
• trivia
• mite
• song
• humbug
• rot
• smidgen
• hogwash
• dram
• folly
• drivel
• soupçon
• pinhead
• crumb
• ounce
• scintilla
• touch
• shred
• lick
• trash
• fribble
• spot
• particle
• dab
• trace

trifle

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to flirt

to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun

do not trifle with me unless you mean to ask me to marry you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flirt
• toy
• coquet
• frivol
• woo
• vamp
• fool
• rib
• tease
• play (with)
• court
• dally
• mash
• mess around
• lead on
• razz
• kid
• put on
• string along
• manipulate
• josh

2

as in to play

to spend time in aimless activity

spent a lazy afternoon trifling on the front porch

Synonyms & Similar Words

• play
• doodle
• goof (around)
• fiddle (around)
• potter (around)
• fool around
• hang about
• monkey (around)
• putter (around)
• loaf
• idle
• fribble
• lounge
• mess around
• dawdle
• kick around
• horse around
• loll
• hang (around or out)
• tinker
• clown (around)
• dillydally
• dally
• diddle (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• set (to)
• settle (down)
• buckle (down)
• knuckle down

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trifle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trifle are coquet, dally, flirt, and toy. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

When could coquet be used to replace trifle?

The meanings of coquet and trifle largely overlap; however, coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When might dally be a better fit than trifle?

The words dally and trifle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

When is it sensible to use flirt instead of trifle?

The words flirt and trifle can be used in similar contexts, but flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

In what contexts can toy take the place of trifle?

Although the words toy and trifle have much in common, toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of trifle

Noun

Elegant trifles that prove a baking fail doesn’t mean failure at all. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025

Get the recipe > Sweet corn pastry cream is layered with blueberry compote and buttery shortbread in this late-summer trifle. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025

Verb

Arsenal might be informed that things could have ended differently had Arteta spent a trifling $120 million on a striker in January. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

In the event, however, the Biden Justice Department prosecuted hundreds of people on trifling misdemeanor offenses that would never have been charged in normal cases untainted by partisan politics. —Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 9 Dec. 2023

Phrases Containing trifle

• a trifle
• trifle (away)