as in trivialities
something of little importance
let us not speak of trifles when our nation may be going to war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
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
2
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
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
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
21 Dec. 2025
Strawberries are delicious in cobblers, trifles, and crisps.
—
Nancy Lebrun,
Verywell Health,
4 Aug. 2025
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
-
After debuting in 2007, The Big Bang Theory entertained viewers with the everyday trivialities and obsessions of friends who work in science.
Verb
-
Dishes are custom made in Italy and flown over, wine flirts between old world Italian wonders and bottles from local makers.
-
From time to time the thermometer flirts with 70.
Verb
-
Seeking to reach its third straight World Cup final, France plays Paraguay on July 4 in Philly, and the winner advances to a quarterfinal against Canada or Morocco five days later at Foxborough, Massachusetts.
-
Emma D'Arcy plays the adult version of the character across all three seasons.
Noun
-
The long-term health effects of the fire and its smoke probably won’t be known unless researchers conduct a follow-up study, said Eisenman of UCLA.
-
Without Shamea being able to take her anger out on Porsha directly, everyone can get the smoke.
Verb
-
Here, Matcha Milk toys the line between sweet and earthy, blending macadamia milk and vanilla with black tea and matcha accord.
Noun
-
In terms of drinks, colonists didn't have ways to purify their water, so people drank small beer or weak wine, Miller said.
-
Compared to those turbulent days, the second biggest defeat of Parkinson's reign is very small beer.
Cite this Entry
“Trifles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trifles. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
