trifled

VERB

toy with; mess around

Synonyms

STRONG

coquet dabble dally dawdle dilly-dally doodle fidget flirt fool fritter idle loiter lollygag lounge misuse monkey palter philander play potter putter squander toy twiddle wanton waste

WEAK

amuse oneself be insincere fool around fool with fribble futz around horse around indulge in lead on mess with monkey with play games with play with string along use up waste time wink at

Antonyms

STRONG

hasten hoard hurry push rush save work

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“While we want stable relationships,” Graham said, “we will not be trifled with.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Then again, silence, that sharpest of double-edged swords, is not a weapon easily trifled with: What ensures survival in one regime equals death in another.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2023

“These fittings are not something to be trifled with.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2023

Sleep is not to be trifled with; there is nothing low-stakes about it.

From Washington Post • Jan. 16, 2023

“It reminded everyone that you are my apprentice, and you are not to be trifled with!”

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman