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trifle 1 of 2

trifle

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trifle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trifle are coquet, dally, flirt, and toy. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

When could coquet be used to replace trifle?

The meanings of coquet and trifle largely overlap; however, coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When might dally be a better fit than trifle?

The words dally and trifle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

When is it sensible to use flirt instead of trifle?

The words flirt and trifle can be used in similar contexts, but flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

In what contexts can toy take the place of trifle?

Although the words toy and trifle have much in common, toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

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 trifle
Noun
Why The Trifle Is The Best Party Dessert Enter the chocolate trifle, a beloved Southern staple, courtesy of a good friend who excels at hospitality but values shortcuts. Kathryn Streeter, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024 Rachel's Trifle Mishap In the 1999 Thanksgiving episode, Rachel (played by Jennifer Aniston) attempts to make a classic English trifle for dessert. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Arsenal might be informed that things could have ended differently had Arteta spent a trifling $120 million on a striker in January. Rory Smith, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024 In the event, however, the Biden Justice Department prosecuted hundreds of people on trifling misdemeanor offenses that would never have been charged in normal cases untainted by partisan politics. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 9 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for trifle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trifle
Noun
  • My memoir was built of gaps, juxtaposition, weird little nothings.
    Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The one whose legs turned nothings into somethings, improvising the Lions’ entire defensive game plan into a pile of ash?
    Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2024
Verb
  • The Friars are still a long way from even remotely flirting with the Big Dance, but sometimes, hindering public enemy No. 1’s chances can serve as a nice consolation prize during a frustrating campaign.
    Jim Root, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Less than a month ago, Apple’ s market cap was flirting with what would be a historic $4 trillion mark.
    Kavitha Shastry, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • One of the greatest of all time to play the position, one of the greatest players of all time.
    Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The talk turns gossipy when Peter tells Linda about an early evening call from an occasional hook-up, raising his eyebrows about the guy’s insistence on playing rough trade.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Any continuation of this conversation will veer far off from the triviality of Socrates’s political beliefs.
    Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Although it was considered appropriately feminine for women to care for animals, women and femininity were also considered weaker, sillier, and more frivolous than men and masculinity; caring too much for other creatures came was considered a sign of fragility and triviality.
    Natalie Kinkade, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • All her works begin with drawings, evidence of her belief in the Surrealist tradition of doodling and automatic writing as ways to tap into the subconscious.
    Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Plus, score savings on this writing tablet that can be used to doodle and play educational games.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near trifle

Cite this Entry

“Trifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifle. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on trifle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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