flippancy

noun

ˈfli-pən(t)-sē How to pronounce flippancy (audio)
Definition of flippancynext
as in lightness
a lack of seriousness often at an improper time no one appreciates your flippancy during our religious services

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 flippancy This flippancy may have more than a little to do with the freediving community’s attitude toward Šobat’s breath-holding achievements. — Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025 The flippancy with which these characters are made to bite the dust establishes the film’s combustible tone. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 We’ve all been cast adrift in the cognitive dissonance between the visceral seriousness of the crime and the abject flippancy of the shooter, the brutality of the shooting and the memes reacting to Kirk’s bigoted views. — Raven Smith, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2025 There are, at times, flashes of exasperation in her responses to Agnes’ possessiveness or flippancy. — Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for flippancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flippancy
  1. lightness
  2. cheerfulness
  3. glee
  4. silliness
  5. levity
  6. frivolity
  7. frivolousness
Noun
  • Gus Birney, Shulman’s real-life daughter, brings an ineffable lightness to Sarah Nell, the joyfulness and sweetness of the portrayal all the more wondrous before of all the darkness that surrounds it.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • What character does is govern how a person understands and inhabits these qualities with humanity, with justice, with humility, with the appropriate lightness of not confusing oneself for one’s category.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of lightness
Noun
  • Kikuko sometimes mistook Shigejiro’s cheerfulness for egoism owing to the distortions produced by her illness.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Positive qualities—promptness, diligence, cheerfulness—sped up your ascent through the ranks; negative ones—laziness, dissipation, late mornings—slowed it down.
    — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Definition of cheerfulness
Noun
  • Republicans are rubbing their hands in glee at the neocommunist advance in their opposing party.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • To the director’s glee, modern audiences may be more uncomfortable with Erika and Elliot’s lopsided power dynamic than the sight of sweet-faced Hoffman in a pig mask and panties.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of glee
Noun
  • The play’s Bohemian rhapsody is as full of light and life and silliness as its time in Sicilia is wrenching.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Back on the main stage, Mumford also stripped away the silliness and sarcasm.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of silliness
Noun
  • Yes, life gets messy — but there are moments of levity and sweetness.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Even with more levity and laughs than is typical for a Game of Thrones show, the world of Westeros can really only get so lighthearted.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of levity
Noun
  • There is much fun and frivolity at the Witch and Culture Festival, but the event also acknowledges some distressing real-life history that goes along with being (or being suspected of being) a witch in Connecticut.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Photographer Phil Oh captures the drama and frivolity in Paris as designers present their latest couture collections.
    — Phil Oh, Vogue, 7 July 2026
Definition of frivolity
Noun
  • Let effort speak louder than frivolousness.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of frivolousness

Browse Nearby Words

flip (out)
flippancy
flippant
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Cite this Entry

“Flippancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flippancy. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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