PIDDLING Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

piddling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpid-lən

Definition of piddling

as in nominal

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention raised one final, piddling objection to the plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piddling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of piddle

as in trifling

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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 piddling

Adjective

Then, the pandemic reduced the schedule to 60 games and Eddie got a piddling 37%. — Star Tribune, 3 Dec. 2020 Millions of additional claims are expected to stream in from around the country over the coming weeks, while hiring remains piddling. — Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2020 What’s particularly baffling is that Syria now produces a piddling amount of oil—about as much as Utah. — Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2019 That will make the current economic uncertainty look piddling. — Daniel W. Drezner, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2019 In the battle for mind share, in the Trumpian quest to be part of every conversation, the Pixel far outweighs its piddling sales. — Vlad Savov, The Verge, 16 Oct. 2018 Of those, only four rather piddling victories went the liberals’ way. — The Economist, 30 June 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piddling

Adjective

Rather than source a direct, probably expensive, replacement in the market, Carrick fielded a fluid front four on Saturday, with Bryan Mbeumo deputising as the nominal forward.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
United Russia, the country’s nominal ruling party, was never built to designate an heir; rather, it was meant to ensure that elections produced reliably pro-regime seat-fillers in institutions such as parliament.

— Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of nominal

Verb

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

Definition of trifling

Adjective

Sale appeared to have a slight hitch in his leg before starting his motion when he was called for his third career balk.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
And earlier this week, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey for June showed a slight pickup in hiring and quits (an indicator of employee confidence) while layoffs were essentially unchanged.

— Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of slight

Adjective

The antenna is extremely lightweight, and the team miniaturized it to be both the right size and shape to fit the tiny helicopters, which sit just 6 inches (15 centimeters) above the ground at rest.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026
These tiny flies, about 1/8-inch long, are drawn to moist potting soil and decaying leaves on the soil’s surface around houseplants.

— Leah Chester-Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of tiny

Verb

But Ehlers has given Carolina a newfound level of offensive depth, especially given he’s meshed surprisingly well with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook, two veteran checkers who have been mucking and grinding for years on a team that does that better than anyone.

— James Mirtle, New York Times, 24 May 2026
In retirement, he’s gone back to that childhood, mucking the stalls and helping care for a menagerie that includes two horses, 10 mini goats, two mini pigs, a pair of horses and a bunch of chickens and dogs and cats.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Definition of mucking

Adjective

The show finds ways to expose the worst in its characters, their pettiest, most vengeful, greediest parts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Beyond petty crime, the department warned that Belgium remains at risk for terrorist attacks and related activity.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of petty

Verb

Throughout all the commotion, Romelu Lukaku acted as decoy, holding on to the ball, fooling everyone, including the TV producer, who pulled up a graphic showing his recent penalty record.

— Geir Jordet, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Speaking on Harvard Business School’s The Founder Mindset podcast, hosted by senior lecturer and serial entrepreneur Reza Satchu, the Shark Tank investor argued that anyone trying to balance a young company against the rest of their life is fooling themselves.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 June 2026

Definition of fooling

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“Piddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piddling. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of piddling

adjective

verb

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