TRIFLING Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

trifling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtrī-f(ə-)liŋ

Definition of trifling

as in minor

lacking importance deciding what you want to do for a living is no trifling matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slight

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention trifling differences between the theatrical and DVD versions of the movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trifling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of trifle

as in flirting

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

as in playing

to spend time in aimless activity spent a lazy afternoon trifling on the front porch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Cut to terra ferma, where the almighty rainstorm soaking the streets of Rome seems a comparatively trifling bit of weather. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026 In less trifling hands, there’s no telling what these tools could do, are doing now. — Chris Colin, Wired News, 18 May 2026 Meanwhile, that global temperature record that DiCaprio mentioned in his acceptance speech in 2016 seems almost trifling compared to what has happened since. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026 The health factor is no trifling qualifier for a player who has missed time with shoulder and oblique injuries, in addition to that unfortunate incident with his pelvic floor. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026 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 The cost to find these answers, even in the near term, is relatively trifling. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2023

Verb

In the mid-19th century, the question was of trifling interest to mapmakers, who had far more than four colors at their disposal and saw no particular reason to restrict their palette. — Gregory Barber, Quanta Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 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 The aging Airy had devoted his observatory to stellar measurements that now produced trifling improvements to navigation. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025 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

Although the mattress developed some minor misshaping after a month of heavy use, Moon still thinks it’s packed with value.

— Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Zachary Christian Cooper, 22, of Boyd was arrested by Department of Public Safety investigators Thursday morning at the Rhome Fire Department, on allegations of online solicitation of a minor and possessing child pornography.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

The Weather Prediction Center has already placed most of South Florida under a Level 2 risk of excessive heavy rainfall with a slight risk of flash flooding on Sunday.

— Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Yet Georgia coach Kirby Smart wasn’t surprised in the slightest to see Puglisi step in and execute the offense.

— Connor Riley, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of slight

Verb

Without it, growth would have slowed to a mere fraction of a percentage point, leaving the economy nearly stagnant and flirting with recession.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The benchmark 10-year note spent the day flirting with the psychologically important 5% level as oil prices surged and a fresh consumer survey showed that inflation expectations remain a good distance above the Federal Reserve's 2% goal.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of flirting

Verb

Antetokounmpo totaled 10 points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 shooting from the foul line, two rebounds, one assist and one steal while playing only 11 minutes in Saturday’s first half.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
The practice involves writing down your intrusive thoughts and fears, and even recording yourself talking about them, and playing that recording back to yourself.

— Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of playing

Adjective

Manfred says small-market success is rare, while the union argues the Rays-Brewers World Series matchup shows baseball can work without a cap.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Massachusetts ranks third for the annual cost of raising a small child but 18th over 18 years.

— Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

If interest expense exceeds nominal GDP growth, a debt spiral could occur.

— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Municipal compost operations tend only to accept leaves generated by that town and may also provide small quantities of finished compost to residents for free or at a nominal charge, according to DEEP.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of nominal

Verb

Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.

— Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of fooling around

Adjective

Here's where the high diesel prices add up tough – what little hay there is, is a lot more expensive to harvest.

— Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
The prince didn’t have any luck in blocking Kelce, which comes as little surprise given the Chiefs star knows how to avoid defensive players.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026