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

Her aim is to silence the messenger and leave the impression that she isn’t to be trifled with by the media, shades of Margaret Thatcher.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 16, 2024

From eating holes in people's brains to generating nasty tumors to putting folks in comas, some fungi are not to be trifled with.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2023

“I said, ‘Luke, this heat is not to be trifled with,’” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2023

"And take care not to insult her, now. Like Bronden, she is not a woman to be trifled with."

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda