flippant

adjective

ˈfli-pənt How to pronounce flippant (audio)
Definition of flippantnext
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred his flippant comment that the poor save on taxes offended many people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flippant Diet culture doesn’t care about your health The flippant comments about this parasite belie the dominant belief that weight loss is inherently about pursuing health. — Oona Hanson, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 And for Lestat’s part, Louis has been flippant with his feelings. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026 Your method of dismissing your flippant remarks, then, is probably the next best option to silence. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 Chick lit was flippant and fizzy and fun, above all, as effervescent and guiltless as a vodka soda. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for flippant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flippant
  1. cute
  2. facetious
  3. playful
  4. inappropriate
  5. wise
Adjective
  • But don’t let the cute style fool you—this look is super practical, too.
    — Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Continue down Main Street in Catskill to find tons of the cute shops upstate New York is known for, in particular Stay Forever for gifts, Spike’s for records, and Magpie for used books.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • The excess of emotion often scans as winkingly facetious, a dramatization to demonstrate just how deeply a person loves books.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 July 2026
  • The first thing he was asked, by another reporter who witnessed the debate, was a facetious question of whether he’s given MVP any thought.
    — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of facetious
Adjective
  • For good measure, Pabst’s social media updates took a tongue-in-cheek approach that may have actually convinced people the posts were more playful than actual pleas for help.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The world went in, and pliant, playful interpretations flowed out.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of playful
Adjective
  • Justice Department attorneys have argued that a restraining order would be inappropriate and that the legal challenge was premature, as federal agencies had yet to issue public guidance on how the president's directive would be implemented.
    — Kristina Cooke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The morality police, which are often accused of extreme policies, recently announced a statewide ban in Sokoto on the use of DJs at events, as well as inappropriate haircuts, extravagant bridal gifts and playing music on public transport.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • And price-wise, longer-term bonds (like the 30-year Treasury) have taken the biggest hits.
    — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Goodbye, Koi is a wise, comforting read for kids who are anticipating a new beginning of any kind.
    — Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of wise

Browse Nearby Words

flippancy
flippant
flipped
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Cite this Entry

“Flippant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flippant. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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