trifle 1 of 2

trifle

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verb

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

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 trifle
Noun
But Willard’s point is that a coach at one of the nation’s top programs should not have to sweat such trifles. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2025 Don’t skip the killer desserts, revered by locals, which include the beloved trifle known as somlói, as well as diós nudli, a.k.a. Evan Rail, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
Such a drastic move would represent China throwing down the gauntlet to the United States and Europe, brushing aside as trifling any Western threats of economic punishment. Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 26 Apr. 2023 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 See All Example Sentences for trifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trifle
Noun
  • My memoir was built of gaps, juxtaposition, weird little nothings.
    Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The one whose legs turned nothings into somethings, improvising the Lions’ entire defensive game plan into a pile of ash?
    Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2024
Verb
  • President Donald Trump's middle son joined the long-standing family practice of flirting with national politics in a June 27 interview that could mark the beginnings of a new dynasty.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 29 June 2025
  • The two have flirted with the idea of a romantic relationship many times since then, but have yet to truly go there onscreen.
    EW.com, EW.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The Liberty were overpowered by a refreshed Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever squad while playing shorthanded without Jonquel Jones.
    Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
  • There was a time when everyone at a crypto event saw themselves as an outsider, and the VC industry viewed crypto venture capitalists as a different breed playing a different game.
    Ani Freedman, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • His reinstatement of Rose and Jackson is no exception: History has become an irrelevant triviality — ignored or, even better, forgotten.
    Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
  • Yesterday’s pangrams were triviality, trivially and virality.
    Alex Travelli, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Journals with blank pages, including sketchbooks, give kids plenty of space to doodle, write or create scrapbooks.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
  • Niccol has also brought back a company tradition of baristas doodling on cups, as well as self-serve milk and sugar stations.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on trifle

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