trivial

adjective

ˈtri-vē-əl How to pronounce trivial (audio)
Definition of trivialnext
1
as in minor
lacking importance why spend so much time on trivial decisions, like whether the soda should be regular or diet?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slight
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention figured that restaurant customers wouldn't notice such a trivial surcharge on their bill

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 trivial Why a minute matters Humphreys argued the time savings aren’t trivial, pointing to research tying ambulance response time to survival odds in the most severe cases. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 July 2026 In reality, the origin is completely trivial. — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 These are not trivial concerns. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 June 2026 My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a trivial note. — Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for trivial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trivial
  1. minor
  2. slight
  3. small
  4. nominal
  5. little
  6. petty
  7. unimportant
  8. insignificant
Adjective
  • The projectile caused minor structural damage, but there were no injuries among the crew and the ship has continued its journey, the report said.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The project cost is estimated at $85,000, according to a permit for minor tenant improvements submitted to the city.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026
Definition of minor
Adjective
  • Shares slid 2% after the regional bank reported a slight earnings miss in its second-quarter financial report.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • One minor point over that version is that on the Switch, there is a slight pause when spoken audio or video is loaded in.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of slight
Adjective
  • The division charged with keeping a handle on parasitic diseases had already been small, with only a few employees designated to parasite work.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • When states lose the authority to set their own food safety and agricultural standards, consumers and small farmers pay the price.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Definition of small
Adjective
  • International goods trade comprises nearly a third of the state's nominal GDP, with the state particularly exposed to tariffs that were not invalidated by February's Supreme Court ruling.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 13 July 2026
  • The judge also awarded Biden $1 in nominal damages and ordered Byrne to pay nearly $35,000 in court sanctions.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of nominal
Adjective
  • The latest appearance will do little to quell criticism of Infantino, who is standing currently unopposed for re-election as FIFA president.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • At a press conference with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, government officials said that the fire had started unusually close to the community in Collins, leaving little time to respond.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of little
Adjective
  • The Greek myths are rife with petty and meddlesome deities squabbling, playing favorites, punishing harshly, and otherwise wreaking havoc on the lives of mortal men.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • In each social-commentary-teetering-on-horror episode, Nanno is a pupil at a different school, picture perfect and scanning the room for whatever secrets — an abusive teacher, an absurd hierarchical system, petty jealousy — demand to be revealed.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of petty
Adjective
  • Wright agrees that the findings shouldn’t be interpreted to mean that omega-3s are unimportant for the brain.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 14 July 2026
  • But that’s unimportant, Kelleher says, because other market participants are reading them.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of unimportant
Adjective
  • The weight penalty over the coupe is about 198 pounds, which is not insignificant, though the complex folding system can open and close the top in just 14 seconds at up to 30 mph.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 15 July 2026
  • Although stories of vanishing planes and people are still linked to the myth of the Bermuda Triangle, researchers have concluded that the number of disappearances is relatively insignificant.
    — Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026
Definition of insignificant

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trivia
trivial
trivialities
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Cite this Entry

“Trivial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trivial. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on trivial

Nglish: Translation of trivial for Spanish Speakers

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