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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Recent Examples of frivolity
Yet, for all the frivolities, there are some key differences to consider, chiefly in the domestic schedules.
—
Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
To see a neighborhood this affluent leveled feels, for a moment, like proof that a storm or quake or fire does not care about frivolities like net worth.
—Joseph Bien-Kahn, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
One unexpected joy of League Pass life is the arena feed, which shows us what’s on the jumbotron during timeouts (mascot skits, archival content, dance promotions and many other frivolities).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 May 2025
This film is a lyrical study of beauty and identity that balances the weight of internalized shame with the frivolity of a burgeoning romance.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
To see a neighborhood this affluent leveled feels, for a moment, like proof that a storm or quake or fire does not care about frivolities like net worth.
—Joseph Bien-Kahn, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
One unexpected joy of League Pass life is the arena feed, which shows us what’s on the jumbotron during timeouts (mascot skits, archival content, dance promotions and many other frivolities).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 May 2025
This film is a lyrical study of beauty and identity that balances the weight of internalized shame with the frivolity of a burgeoning romance.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frivolity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frivolity
Noun
-
This lends the suit a kind of lightness that only a royal clothes horse such as Prince Michael could pull off.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, biker boots—with their rugged aesthetic, thick soles, and metal hardware—provide visual weight, structure, and an air of rebellion that contrasts perfectly with the lightness of the shorts.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
Fans have already started expressing their glee over the news on social media.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
11 June 2025
-
As the country’s friends have looked on in horror and its rivals have watched with glee, the United States has gone from indispensable to insufferable.—
KORI SCHAKE,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Barricades did little to stop a rat from making its way through the large contingent of reporters waiting outside the courthouse, causing a brief moment of confusion and a bit of levity.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
3 July 2025
-
Comic relief or levity in primarily dramatic, action-adventure, or fantasy movies doesn’t count.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
But the current moment, typified by stars like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX, tends to be about showcasing one’s sexuality ironically, or with an acid flippancy, or from behind a mask, or with a certain cool stance of meta control.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 June 2025
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But the flippancy of the phrase belies the detailed precision with which the Sky plan to manufacture 3-point looks.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frivolity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frivolity. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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