1
as in flirted
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
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2
as in played
to spend time in aimless activity
spent a lazy afternoon trifling on the front porch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of trifled
Meek lives with her dad, Smooch (Will Cobbs), a former Black Panther who now runs a roller rink, and her not-to-be-trifled-with grandma, Puddin (Lizan Mitchell).
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trifled
Verb
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Apparently being budgeted in the $70M range, the buzzy project has attracted Matthew McConaughey, Pedro Pascal and Austin Butler and has been flirted with by studios over the years.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
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In 2025, the timing of the Cannes dress code announcement allowed a few rebels to get around the new rules—from Heidi Klum and her dramatic ruffle train to Bella Hadid, whose daring split dress also flirted with the limits imposed by Cannes protocol.—
Blanche Marcel,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Chris Sanon, the Orlando area’s leader in sacks a year ago, played well in his move to linebacker from edge rusher.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
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He’s only played in four major championships in his career.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trifled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifled. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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