as in lightness
a lack of seriousness often at an improper time
the boys were scolded for joking during the funeral service, which was hardly the time for frivolity
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frivolity
Much of Fleming’s delightful frivolity can be seen in their mishmashed resume.
—
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Comedies are often the also-rans; everyone wants to be taken seriously, and comedies—even the greatest of them, by the likes of Hawks, Preston Sturges, or Billy Wilder—are frequently treated as a frivolity.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Credit cards are not tools of frivolity.
—Matthew Kandrach, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Anya’s friends were the ones headed for the East Coast, some even to Ivy League schools, eager to leave behind the frivolity of Los Angeles.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Comedies are often the also-rans; everyone wants to be taken seriously, and comedies—even the greatest of them, by the likes of Hawks, Preston Sturges, or Billy Wilder—are frequently treated as a frivolity.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Credit cards are not tools of frivolity.
—Matthew Kandrach, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Anya’s friends were the ones headed for the East Coast, some even to Ivy League schools, eager to leave behind the frivolity of Los Angeles.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolity
Noun
-
The process is long and excruciating, said Oceguera, but they’re just left with the essence of pineapple and coconut that’s carbonated a little for lightness on your tongue.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
There is a lightness to be found around material that could normally be challenging.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Commentors, of course, had a mixed bag of reactions, ranging from arguing that Kelce is the Duchess of Delco to criticizing the governor's silliness.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Yet there’s wisdom amid the silliness, as the story gently makes a case for the necessity of grief, mindfulness and mortal awareness, even in a life otherwise unburdened by adult human responsibility.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
New York with aplomb, expressing glee about the network being able to keep the project a secret.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one.—
Samuel Hyland,
Pitchfork,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As a teen-ager listening to folk music in London pubs, I’d been attracted to the instrument’s nimble, tinkling cheerfulness, its being on the margins, not too demanding, perhaps.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Chiwetel Ejiofor's ability to provide levity with a straight face makes this film an underrated gem in his and Hathaway's filmographies.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
These include positive energy and inspiration, selflessness, continuous learning, grit, levity, and stewardship.—
Anand Kumar,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Let effort speak louder than frivolousness.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the unironic, light-hearted rom-com has been replaced with cynicism and flippancy.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Crucial here is that the markets confirm the flippancy found in the previous question, and much more importantly, would have confirmed it then if anyone had been asking.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frivolity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolity. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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