trifle 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrī-fəl How to pronounce trifle (audio)
Definition of triflenext
as in nothing
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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trifle

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to flirt
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
2
as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity spent a lazy afternoon trifling on the front porch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Start by following Garten’s Orange Cream recipe to create a thick orange-zest cream that will serve as one of the layers in your trifle. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2026 Rather than stirring a debate, or even inspiring deeper cultural introspection, Sharrock and her collaborators deliver a trifle. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 22 May 2026
Verb
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 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 See All Example Sentences for trifle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trifle
  1. nothing
  2. flirt
  3. play
  4. triviality
  5. doodle
Noun
  • Women continue marching down the runway in their stilettos and frothy little nothings.
    — Danielle Pergament, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026
  • While CinemaCon 2026 brought us exciting news about new films, it was also bogged down with status quo nothings about how Amazon MGM still hasn’t found a new James Bond.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of nothing
Verb
  • Without it, growth would have slowed to a mere fraction of a percentage point, leaving the economy nearly stagnant and flirting with recession.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The benchmark 10-year note spent the day flirting with the psychologically important 5% level as oil prices surged and a fresh consumer survey showed that inflation expectations remain a good distance above the Federal Reserve's 2% goal.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of flirt
Verb
  • Reimer played just one previous game this fall, a 35-save shutout in the American Hockey League on Saturday night, before signing an NHL contract for the rest of the season.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The 2025 expansion team will have an opportunity to secure its first championship banner when Game 6 is played Thursday afternoon in Atlanta.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of play
Noun
  • After that, conquering parts of the universe would be a triviality.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Spain’s shrewdness came in their refusal to engage with off-the-ball trivialities.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of triviality
Verb
  • The whole thing plays like something concocted by an 8th grader sitting in the back of biology class and doodling movie ideas in his notebook, offering more proof that Besson has never quite risen above the juvenile tendencies of his early years.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
  • While some might show their boredom by doodling on paper or playing on their phone, this pilot took his message to new heights – roughly 1,100 feet (335 meters).
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of doodle

Phrases Containing trifle

Browse Nearby Words

trifectas
trifle
trifle (away)
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Cite this Entry

“Trifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifle. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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