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Synonyms

flippant

American  
[flip-uhnt] / ˈflɪp ənt /

adjective

  1. frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity.

    The audience was shocked by his flippant remarks about patriotism.

    Synonyms:
    impudent, impertinent, saucy
  2. Chiefly Dialect. nimble, limber, or pliant.

  3. Archaic. glib; voluble.


flippant British  
/ ˈflɪpənt /

adjective

  1. marked by inappropriate levity; frivolous or offhand

  2. impertinent; saucy

  3. obsolete talkative or nimble

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • flippancy noun
  • flippantly adverb
  • flippantness noun
  • unflippant adjective
  • unflippantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of flippant

1595–1605; apparently flip 1 + -ant

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.

And his version of the Russian literary masterpiece - which starts with the phrase "bloody hell" - is about being flippant and irreverent.

From BBC

Responding to the flippant nature of his previous response, Isaac noted how seemingly obnoxious that quote sounded.

From Los Angeles Times

By refusing to commit to a disquieting atmosphere, Cregger dulls his provocation, making “Weapons” feel timid, even flippant, in the face of a genuine American crisis.

From Salon

While this may seem flippant ,"People experience and understand politics through the content they share online", Sarkar says.

From BBC

Then a flippant comment, it now sums up the fear in both Washington and Beijing: "Don't become a spy."

From BBC