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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of trivial
These differences are not trivial.
—
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Especially when unconventional school principal Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) decides to reinvent this trivial student feud as a cross between an educational experience and an opportunity to get one over on her War College opposite number, Chancellor Kelrec (Raoul Bhaneja).
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Afternoons involve gut-wrenching calls with my innocent clients — a sobering counterpoint to the other, more trivial dramas of my day.
—Yosha Gunasekera, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
None of these matters are trivial.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trivial
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Especially when unconventional school principal Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) decides to reinvent this trivial student feud as a cross between an educational experience and an opportunity to get one over on her War College opposite number, Chancellor Kelrec (Raoul Bhaneja).
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Afternoons involve gut-wrenching calls with my innocent clients — a sobering counterpoint to the other, more trivial dramas of my day.
—Yosha Gunasekera, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
None of these matters are trivial.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trivial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trivial
Adjective
-
Small appliances might break down or a minor breakage could occur.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Sox also enter spring training with Jarred Kelenic and Dustin Harris among the outfielders signed to minor-league deals with big-league camp invitations.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But because this all unfolded early on a Saturday morning, and oil-futures trading doesn’t open until Sunday evening, investors had a slight buffer.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
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With an emphasis on energy management thanks to the uptick in electrical power, the introduction of active aerodynamics and a slight reduction in the size and weight of the cars, the drivers have found the new challenge refreshing.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Dealing with competition from smaller personal computers, IBM’s business model began turning to services and software instead.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Common tactics Supporters of both parties now regularly receive urgent fundraising emails designed to draw in small-dollar donations, a significant part of how political candidates and parties pay for campaign operations and political advertising blitzes.—
Joseph Morton,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Fines can range from a nominal fee to a hefty chunk of change.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
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Trump said on Thursday that the rate should be two to three percentage points lower—such low nominal rates have historically tended to accompany periods of weak or slowing economic activity.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The bill would allow immigrants like him, who have been in the United States for more than 5 years, to apply for legal status, but the bill has made little progress since it was first introduced.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
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Some parents might interact too much, or too little, and the play pocket might not encourage independent play as expected.—
Jillian Pretzel,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
From the creators of The Hills, Selling Sunset provides viewers with romance, petty drama, luxurious homes, and a game of trying to remember which Oppenheim twin is which.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
-
This is more than just petty high-school behaviour to be brushed off.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some people are surrounded by care and still feel chronically unimportant.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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One of the votes at issue was about a project in Bonin’s district that sailed through the council, with Price’s vote unimportant to the project’s outcome.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Set inland in the country’s western region, Cayo is defined by lush rain forest, winding rivers, and a strong sense of remoteness that makes everyday stresses seem distant and insignificant.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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While a company of First Brands’ size would usually be insignificant, its bankruptcy rocked the financial world because of its funding model.—
Sasha Richie,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trivial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trivial. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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