Trivialize: Definition, Examples, and Usage Tips

Meaning 1：make seem unimportant (trivialize)

trivialize 🔊

/ˈtrɪviəˌlaɪz/

vt.

To make something important seem less important or serious than it really is.

Trivialize illustration: person making serious issue look silly

make seem unimportant 🔊

➕

/meɪk siːm ˌʌnɪmˈpɔːrtənt/

vt.

To treat something significant as if it were of little value, ignoring its true weight or consequences.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'trivialis' (commonplace) + suffix -ize meaning 'to cause to become'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a 'trivial' thing: a tiny piece of lint. Adding '-ize' means making something big into that tiny lint. Trivialize = treat as lint.

📖 Example

Saying "just learn a few words a day" can trivialize the hard work needed to master a new language. 🔊 Saying "just learn a few words a day" can trivialize the hard work needed to master a new language.

🔗 Collocations

trivialize an issue – to make an issue seem unimportant

trivialize a problem – to treat a problem as less serious than it is

trivialize someone's feelings – to dismiss or belittle someone's emotions

🔄 Synonyms

downplay (vt.) – to make something seem less important than it really is

belittle (vt.) – to make someone or something seem unimportant or worthless

underestimate (vt.) – to think that something is less important or serious than it actually is

🚫 Antonyms

emphasize (vt.) – to give special importance to something

magnify (vt.) – to make something seem larger or more important than it is

value (vt.) – to consider something as important or worthwhile

🌱 Derivatives

trivialization (n.) – the act of making something seem unimportant

trivial (adj.) – of little value or importance

trivially (adv.) – in a way that is unimportant or simple

📖 Cultural Story

Originated from Latin 'trivium' (a place where three roads meet), where common gossip occurred, leading to 'trivial' meaning 'unimportant'. The verb 'trivialize' appeared in the 19th century.