trivialize

especially British, triv·i·al·ise

[triv-ee-uh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

trivialized, trivializing 

1. to make trivial; cause to appear unimportant, trifling, etc.

trivialize

/ ˈtrɪvɪəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to cause to seem trivial or more trivial; minimize

   he trivialized his injuries

Other Word Forms

• trivialization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of trivialize¹

First recorded in 1840–50; trivial + -ize

Example Sentences

It’s trivializing what you think money and class is, which led to this one, “Upper Classy.”

From Los Angeles Times

L.A. is frequently seen as a place of destruction, where the past is bulldozed and forgotten and then trivialized and romanticized.

From Los Angeles Times

But critics say pairing it with footage of deportations trivializes a serious and often traumatic process.

From Salon

While “Alligator Alcatraz” has gained popularity among activists and media, Rayner herself rejects the term, wary of GOP attempts to trivialize the facility.

From Salon

Popular culture traps us in the privatized universe of celebrity culture, urging us to define ourselves through the often empty and trivialized and highly individualized interests of celebrities.

From Salon

Related Words

• depreciate 
• dismiss 
• laugh off 
• make light of 
• minimize 
• misprize 
• play down 
• pooh-pooh 
• underestimate 
• underplay 
• underrate 
• undervalue 

When To Use

What does trivialize mean?

Trivialize means to cause something to appear unimportant or insignificant, as in Gabe tried to trivialize the D he got in math, but his parents still grounded him.Trivialize is a verb form of the adjective trivial. It’s often used by the person being trivialized, rather than by the person doing the trivializing.Example: Do not trivialize the effort that was put into my project.