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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
Strawberries are delicious in cobblers, trifles, and crisps. Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025 In other words, a trifle: easy to digest, easy to forget. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 31 July 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 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
  • But nothings more peaceful than tomorrow to a man going through pain today.
    Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
  • Damon also flirted with the host's mom, who was in the show's audience.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Brækhus has been flirting with retirement ever since her first loss to McCaskill, but now, finally, feels ready to step away.
    George Ramsay, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the Carmel area, the trail passes a cool play space and Midtown Plaza, where the family can play a little ping-pong or corn hole, grab a bite to eat, or just relax on the bench swings.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Stars played their first eight seasons in Reunion Arena, located in downtown Dallas.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For Herzog, this simultaneous coexistence of high art and triviality is part of LA’s twisted genius.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The token slivers of human-interest drama (a divorce battle, a visit to the pediatrician) that are meant to counterpoint the possibility of Armageddon with the oh-so-ironic triviality of quotidian concerns.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Under Niccol, Starbucks has brought back its tradition of baristas doodling on cups in Sharpie pens; reinstated self-serve milk and sugar stations; cut 30% of the food and drink menu; ended its open-bathroom policy for non-paying customers; and laid off 1,100 corporate employees in February.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Ray3 also provides the ability to doodle on an image, drawing out the trajectory of a character on screen, with the tool then generating a video of the movement.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifle. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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