PIDDLING Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

piddling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpid-lən

Definition of piddling

as in nominal

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention raised one final, piddling objection to the plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piddling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of piddle

as in trifling

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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 piddling

Adjective

Then, the pandemic reduced the schedule to 60 games and Eddie got a piddling 37%. — Star Tribune, 3 Dec. 2020 Millions of additional claims are expected to stream in from around the country over the coming weeks, while hiring remains piddling. — Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2020 What’s particularly baffling is that Syria now produces a piddling amount of oil—about as much as Utah. — Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2019 That will make the current economic uncertainty look piddling. — Daniel W. Drezner, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2019 In the battle for mind share, in the Trumpian quest to be part of every conversation, the Pixel far outweighs its piddling sales. — Vlad Savov, The Verge, 16 Oct. 2018 Of those, only four rather piddling victories went the liberals’ way. — The Economist, 30 June 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piddling

Adjective

This decision risks a reduction in the price dairy farmers receive for their cull cows and higher profits for foreign beef exporters, all for a potentially nominal decrease in the retail ground beef price.

— Esme Murphy, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Recent August polling shows the Texas Senate race is a statistical tie, with Talarico holding a slight nominal lead.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of nominal

Verb

But that still left the less-than-trifling matter of the second tier’s title to settle, as the teams were locked together on 97 points with one game still to play.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The rise may seem trifling, but staffers work long hours, and a caffeine budget is a necessity.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026

Definition of trifling

Adjective

The delicate shape still nods to classic ballet flats, but the slight heel gives everything a little more polish, making the pairing feel less Sunday lunch with your nan and more Copenhagen Fashion Week.

— Georgia Brown, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026
Early pothole testing actually caused a slight structural bend in a rear swingarm.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of slight

Adjective

The Moon’s awkward angle to Venus this morning may bring tiny mismatches around timing, mood, or social plans, but nothing needs to become a big deal.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
One such collection of it-narratives survives in the form of the tiny manuscript books authored by children associated with the prominent New England Hale family.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of tiny

Verb

But Ehlers has given Carolina a newfound level of offensive depth, especially given he’s meshed surprisingly well with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook, two veteran checkers who have been mucking and grinding for years on a team that does that better than anyone.

— James Mirtle, New York Times, 24 May 2026
In retirement, he’s gone back to that childhood, mucking the stalls and helping care for a menagerie that includes two horses, 10 mini goats, two mini pigs, a pair of horses and a bunch of chickens and dogs and cats.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Definition of mucking

Adjective

Trump will depart sooner or later, the banners will be torn down and much of his petty talk will be and should be forgotten.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
The players air their grievances, which are essentially a pile of petty conflicts and resentments that, as Alice warned, can be traced back to the team fracturing into cliques.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of petty

Verb

Anybody hoping that a Netanyahu defeat in October and the emergence of a less controversial successor will reset the table is likely fooling themselves.

— Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Throughout all the commotion, Romelu Lukaku acted as decoy, holding on to the ball, fooling everyone, including the TV producer, who pulled up a graphic showing his recent penalty record.

— Geir Jordet, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of fooling

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“Piddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piddling. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of piddling

adjective

verb

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