flaunted; flaunting; flaunts
1
: to display or obtrude oneself to public notice
… a great flaunting crowd …—
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens2
: to wave or flutter showily
the flag flaunts in the breeze
1
: to display ostentatiously or impudently : parade
flaunting his superiority
a chance to flaunt clothes, bodies, and sexuality—New Yorker
New Yorker2
: to treat contemptuously
… flaunted the rules …—Louis Untermeyer
Louis Untermeyer
Flaunt vs. Flout: Usage Guide
The "treat contemptuously" use of flaunt found in phrases like "those who flaunt the rules/laws" is common in informal use and sometimes appears in polished and published writing.
… meting out punishment to the occasional mavericks who operate rigged games, tolerate rowdyism, or otherwise flaunt the law.
—Oscar Lewis
Oscar Lewis
"Obviously they're not wearing their cams," Robert told her. "So they're flaunting the rules."
—David Gilbert
David Gilbert
This use undoubtedly arose from confusion with flout, however, and is considered by many to be incorrect. Use of flout in the sense of "flaunt, parade" is also found occasionally.
"The proper pronunciation," the blonde said, flouting her refined upbringing, "is pree feeks."
—Mike Royko
Mike Royko
Examples of flaunt in a Sentence
She liked to flaunt her wealth by wearing furs and jewelry.
They openly flaunted the rules.
Recent Examples on the Web
Other ways to flaunt your love of the Mario franchise include a Bowser shell backpack and a Raccoon Red Mario Cosplay hat.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
But this, too, is a consequence of casting—and of producers and editors working overtime to hide the seams that someone like Fielder might prefer to flaunt.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Kociba and other team leaders, including executive chief engineer Tony Roma, flaunted the Grand Sport’s carnivorous roar at Spring Mountain Motor Resort in Nevada, where roughly 10 miles of desert track lures approximately 4,500 Corvette owners each year for performance-driving instruction.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2026
Stella crossed the street and loitered outside the store window displaying haughty mannequins flaunting swagger coats.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaunt
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Mike Snider, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
But this, too, is a consequence of casting—and of producers and editors working overtime to hide the seams that someone like Fielder might prefer to flaunt.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Kociba and other team leaders, including executive chief engineer Tony Roma, flaunted the Grand Sport’s carnivorous roar at Spring Mountain Motor Resort in Nevada, where roughly 10 miles of desert track lures approximately 4,500 Corvette owners each year for performance-driving instruction.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2026
Stella crossed the street and loitered outside the store window displaying haughty mannequins flaunting swagger coats.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaunt
Cite this Entry
“Flaunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flaunt. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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