trifling 1 of 2

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trifling

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verb

present participle of trifle

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 trifling
Adjective
Talk of mounting nuclear readiness towards Russia, which has more atomic weapons than any other country in the world, could overshadow more trifling domestic matters, like the Epstein scandal, for instance. Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025 Pixar has long stood out by bringing something less trifling to theatergoing families. David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025 Frankly, the more trifling the crime, the better this franchise’s comedy aspirations would work. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025 And yet the movie’s insularity feels trifling and empty. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 The cost to find these answers, even in the near term, is relatively trifling. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2023 Aside from bacteria, the smallest genome belongs to the intestinal parasite Encephalitozoon intestinalis, with a trifling 2.3 billion base pairs. Kirsten Weir, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2011 With that much water needed for even the most trifling tasks, the natural question becomes: How does that water reach those data centers, let alone the world’s farms and factories? IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2010
Verb
But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trifling
Adjective
  • The higher the position, the greater the visibility, and the more costly even minor lapses become.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Blue jumpsuits indicate an immigration infraction or a minor criminal charge; red ones denote a more serious crime.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Boise State basketball’s conference schedule was announced on Tuesday morning, and there’s a slight difference to this year’s Mountain West slate.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
  • While strong finances and health helped bolster the country's overall 70% score, that was offset by factors including income inequality, a slight increase in unemployment and a decline in happiness.
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Emmett was falsely accused of flirting and making advances at Bryant Donham.
    Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Yet, for whatever reason, many Americans can’t stop flirting with pessimism.
    Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Though his interests were that of a pretty typical child — computing and gaming, playing the saxophone, enjoying soccer and time with his pets — he was also known for his acts of kindness and generosity.
    Lauren Costantino September 6, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Chiefs also were playing without rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals, who is recovering from an injury.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Even if advised by a manufacturer, the marble cleaning solution should still be tested on a small, inconspicuous area before getting started.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Her list continues with small but frustrating oversights.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The current, nominal target for such a mission is 2027, but no reasonable observer believes that is possible.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Though the nominal focus is Hind Rajab herself, Ben Hania’s film is a window on the world of Palestine’s Red Crescent volunteer service.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Gisin hopes that by fooling around with measurements of these more exotic states, physicists will come to better understand the role of measurement in general.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Seattle did very little to silence those critics in Week 1.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • He was joined by little bro Jason, who's younger than him by 13 months.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifling. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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