Trifled

To trifle means to treat something or someone with a lack of seriousness or respect; to act or speak without regard for the feelings, dignity, or importance of another. It can also mean to spend time frivolously, indulging in insignificant pursuits or activities. This often implies a disregard for one's time or resources. The action frequently involves a casual dismissal or minimization of something significant, leading to potential consequences or damage. It often conveys a sense of insincerity or superficiality in interactions or actions. The consequences of trifling can be both social, by damaging relationships, and practical, by resulting in wasted opportunities or resources.

Trifled meaning with examples

• John trifled with the fragile trust his friend had placed in him. He repeatedly canceled plans last minute, disregarding her feelings and showing a lack of commitment to their friendship. This pattern of behavior eventually eroded their relationship, proving the destructive nature of trifling with someone's trust and feelings.
• The politician trifled with the voters' concerns about the economy, offering vague promises and avoiding concrete solutions. His dismissive attitude and lack of transparency demonstrated a profound disrespect for the electorate and ultimately damaged his credibility and public support during the next election cycle.
• Instead of focusing on his studies, Mark trifled away his evenings playing video games. He neglected his assignments and procrastinated, resulting in poor grades and a missed opportunity to improve his academic performance. His disregard for the importance of education hampered his future prospects.
• The artist trifled with different mediums, experimenting without fully committing to any particular style. While his experimentation was interesting, the lack of focus and completion diluted the impact of his creative output, and the scattered body of work failed to leave a lasting impression.
• Sarah trifled with the investment advice, ignoring her financial advisor's warnings and making impulsive decisions. Her reckless approach led to significant financial losses, highlighting the potential consequences of not taking important matters seriously or heeding good advice.