TRIFLES Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

trifles 1 of 2

noun

plural of trifle

as in trivialities

something of little importance let us not speak of trifles when our nation may be going to war

Synonyms & Similar Words

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trifles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of trifle

as in flirts

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 plays

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 trifles

Noun

But in the past year, the scope of insider trading has grown to unprecedented levels thanks to new platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket that offer bets on everything from major world events to celebrity trifles. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026 Treaties were trifles compared to armies and bullets. — Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026 Enjoy them as-is, in fruit trifles or parfaits, as part of a fruit salsa or salad, or blended into smoothies. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026 Sky-high trifles, rich and creamy puddings, homemade candy– the holidays are a great time for decadent desserts. — Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2025

Verb

Bake off scraps of pie dough (either plain or with a sprinkling of cinnamon-sugar) until golden and crisp, then crumble into sundaes, parfaits, trifles, and more. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025 Strawberries are delicious in cobblers, trifles, and crisps. — Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trifles

Noun

Spain’s shrewdness came in their refusal to engage with off-the-ball trivialities.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
After debuting in 2007, The Big Bang Theory entertained viewers with the everyday trivialities and obsessions of friends who work in science.

— Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026

Definition of trivialities

Verb

Rachel dates a shoe store operator named Lou (Bob Hoskins), while Charlotte nurses a crush on her handsome young school bus driver and flirts with Catholicism to the chagrin of her Jewish mother.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 17 July 2026
Dishes are custom made in Italy and flown over, wine flirts between old world Italian wonders and bottles from local makers.

— Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of flirts

Verb

What the Study Found A team of researchers at Texas A&M University set out to determine whether the NR4A1 receptor plays a role in the anti-aging benefits of coffee.

— Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2026
Esparza plays the unhinged tyrant with a quickness, his bright eyes darting and weaving with each newfangled notion.

— Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of plays

Noun

In terms of drinks, colonists didn't have ways to purify their water, so people drank small beer or weak wine, Miller said.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 28 June 2026
In comparison, fifth-tier Wrexham must have seemed like small beer, even allowing for the takeover by Reynolds and Mac just a few months earlier.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 26 June 2026