insignificances
Things that don't matter
Insignificances are things that lack importance or meaning—trivial matters unworthy of attention.
The word often appears in contexts emphasizing contrast: He obsessed over insignificances while ignoring the real problem.
What counts as an insignificance depends on perspective; one person's insignificance may be another's concern.
Insignificant things
- minutiaePetty precise particulars
- triviaUnimportant miscellaneous facts
- inconsequentialLacking significance or impact
- negligibleToo small to consider
piffling · nugatory · picayune · paltry · minor details · frivolities · nonessentials · inessentials
Excessive focus on trivialities
- quibblingPetty objection-raising
- small-mindednessLimited, ungenerous perspective
- fussinessExcessive concern over trivialities
- hairsplittingExcessive focus on minutiae
Lack of pertinence
- inconsequenceLack of meaningful effect
- immaterialityAbsence of physical form
- marginalityState of being sidelined
- secondarinessState of lesser rank
dispensability · expendability · superfluousness · unremarkableness · forgettable · anonymity · obscurity
Willful lack of attention
- ignoreRefuse to notice
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- neglectFailure to provide care
- brush asideReject without serious thought
wave off · dismiss · discount · gloss over · pass over · pay no mind · shrug off · write off
State of extreme smallness
- tininessState of minimal size
- slightnessLack of substance or bulk
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
- microscopicToo small for eyes
minuscule · negligibility · imperceptibility · inconspicuousness · modesty · humbleness · lowliness · littleness
trifles
Insignificant things
- minutiaePetty precise particulars
- triviaUnimportant miscellaneous facts
- inconsequentialLacking significance or impact
negligible · piffling · nugatory · picayune · paltry · minor details · frivolities · nonessentials · inessentials · superficialities
nitpicking
Excessive focus on trivialities
- quibblingPetty objection-raising
- small-mindednessLimited, ungenerous perspective
- fussinessExcessive concern over trivialities
irrelevance
Lack of pertinence
- inconsequenceLack of meaningful effect
- immaterialityAbsence of physical form
- marginalityState of being sidelined
secondariness · dispensability · expendability · superfluousness · unremarkableness · forgettable · anonymity · obscurity
disregard
Willful lack of attention
brush aside · wave off · dismiss · discount · gloss over · pass over · pay no mind · shrug off · write off · tune out
minuteness
State of extreme smallness
- tininessState of minimal size
- slightnessLack of substance or bulk
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
microscopic · minuscule · negligibility · imperceptibility · inconspicuousness · modesty · humbleness · lowliness · littleness · diminutiveness
insignificancessignificances
Measures of consequence
essentials · priorities · gravities · urgencies · imperatives
insignificancesmilestones
Notable points of progress
landmarks · turning points · watersheds · defining moments · breakthroughs
- pale into insignificanceBecome negligible by contrast