TRIFLING Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

trifling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtrī-f(ə-)liŋ

Definition of trifling

as in minor

lacking importance deciding what you want to do for a living is no trifling matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slight

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention trifling differences between the theatrical and DVD versions of the movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trifling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of trifle

as in flirting

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 playing

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 trifling

Adjective

In less trifling hands, there’s no telling what these tools could do, are doing now. — Chris Colin, Wired News, 18 May 2026 Meanwhile, that global temperature record that DiCaprio mentioned in his acceptance speech in 2016 seems almost trifling compared to what has happened since. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026 The health factor is no trifling qualifier for a player who has missed time with shoulder and oblique injuries, in addition to that unfortunate incident with his pelvic floor. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026 Talk of mounting nuclear readiness towards Russia, which has more atomic weapons than any other country in the world, could overshadow more trifling domestic matters, like the Epstein scandal, for instance. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025 Pixar has long stood out by bringing something less trifling to theatergoing families. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025 The cost to find these answers, even in the near term, is relatively trifling. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2023

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 The aging Airy had devoted his observatory to stellar measurements that now produced trifling improvements to navigation. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025 But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. — Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trifling

Adjective

Many higher education institutions have started offering classes focused on the burgeoning content creation industry over the past couple years, and several have certificate or minor programs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
On Friday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported two identical incidents of drone strikes on tankers in Hormuz a day earlier, causing minor damage but no casualties.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of minor

Adjective

Nashville was a slight favorite at kickoff, but Miami fielded a stellar starting lineup that included Sergio Reguilón, Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez and Messi.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
At the slightest security alert, every point along the route can be brought to a standstill.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of slight

Adjective

These vines will also happily wind their way around tree trunks and shrubs and fix themselves in place with small rootlets that take on a hairy appearance as poison ivy plants mature.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
Tidy a corner and play a favorite song, letting a small routine remind everyone that care comes through simple, repeatable acts.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of small

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

Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.

— Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of fooling around

Adjective

The opening of an Auberge Collection property in the little town of Los Olivos is further proof of the area's status as a preeminent New World wine destination.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
So far, none of those efforts has been successful, and opponents say hunting would do little to address the most problematic bears that tend to live closer to residential neighborhoods.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of little

Cite this Entry

Style

“Trifling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifling. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of trifling

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on trifling

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zeugma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes