Synonyms for trifle

noun

1. A small quantity

   particle, piece, speck; see bit 1.

2. A small degree

   jot, eyelash, fraction; see bit 3.

3. Something of little importance

   triviality, small matter, nothing; see insignificance.

verb

1. To act without seriousness

   putter, potter, fribble, dip into, slur over, dawdle, dally, mock, play at, make fun, jest, act silly, loiter, idle about, lounge, fool around, indulge in horseplay, monkey with*, monkey around*, fool with*, fool around*, mess with*, mess around*, doodle*, string along*, futz around*, horse around*; see also change 1, tamper with.

2. To flirt

   flirt, dally, coquet, toy with, wink at, play with, play around, make advances; see also play, flirt 1.

trifle is the general term meaning to treat someone or something without earnestness, full attention, definite purpose, etc. began to trifle with the notion of retirement, trifling with her affectionsflirt implies a light, transient interest or attention that quickly moves on to another person or thing flirted with several religions before becoming a philosopherdally implies a playing with a subject or thing that one has little or no intention of taking seriously to dally with painting; coquet usually suggests a trifling in matters of love she coquetted with several men in her department; toy implies a trifling or dallying with no purpose beyond that of amusement or idling away time toying with the idea of writing a novel