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View synonyms for trifling

trifling

[ trahy-fling ]

adjective

  1. of very little importance; trivial; insignificant:

    a trifling matter.

    Synonyms: unimportant, inconsequential, slight

    Antonyms: important

  2. of small value, cost, or amount:

    a trifling sum.

    Synonyms: piddling, negligible

  3. frivolous; shallow; light:

    trifling conversation.

  4. mean; worthless.


noun

  1. idle or frivolous conduct, talk, etc.
  2. foolish delay or waste of time.

trifling

/ ˈtraɪflɪŋ /

adjective

  1. insignificant or petty
  2. frivolous or idle
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈtriflingly, adverb
  • ˈtriflingness, noun
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Other Words From

  • trifling·ly adverb
  • trifling·ness noun
  • un·trifling adjective
  • un·trifling·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of trifling1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; trifle, -ing 2, -ing 1
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Synonym Study

See petty.
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Example Sentences

"A piece about alienation might feel very trifling next to a piece about gun violence in some ways," said Yuval Sharon, who directed the original production.

From Salon

To state the obvious, the big picture is all this is trifling and academic because the government won by a million miles, with a majority of 120.

From BBC

“Whether the special counsel’s office was ‘established by Law’ is not a trifling technicality,” he wrote.

The arguments that advocates cited in a Jan. 8 story by my colleague, education reporter Howard Blume, are well-meaning but trifling.

"Nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking."

From Reuters

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