CultureJuly 24, 2026

trivialisation

/ˌtrɪviəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/

Definition

The act of making something seem less important, significant, or serious than it actually is.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'trivialis', meaning 'found at the crossroads' or 'commonplace', which evolved into the English 'trivial' and later the suffix '-ise' to indicate the action of rendering something unimportant.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe how using 'banter' as an excuse for harmful behavior masks the gravity of bullying. It highlights how downplaying hurtful actions under the guise of humor is a form of trivialization.

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Read the full article ↗

Euronews.com

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