trifle with

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.

Adult tyrannosaurs, she adds, probably wouldn’t trifle with such small creatures because they didn’t provide many calories.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 7, 2023

“The stakes were far, far too high for them to trifle with settling scores with me or any other civilian,” he said.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 26, 2019

The ultra-friendly Hypocrites are so good at loosening up a room with their atmospherics that you may wonder: why bother with “The Mikado”? Why trifle with “Pirates”?

From Washington Post • Jul. 18, 2016

It was clear we should not trifle with the U.S. marshals.

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2011

“Horatio fears I do but trifle with you. He is wrong, mind you. And your father! Your family’s honor would demand that your brother challenge me to a duel.”

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein