as in kittenish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest
an 18th-century painting of a coquettish maiden dallying with a young moonstruck gallant
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Recent Examples of coquettish
With sheer fabrics, lightweight materials, and vintage touches, Bella Hadid succumbed to the most coquettish piece of the moment.
—
Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 31 May 2026
The desire for mental stimulation, variety and excitement is undeniable, but beneath all of the coquettish energy, something vulnerable is also starting to unfold.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
The intelligence official, who helps train America’s newest generation of overseas intelligence officers, said these pretend tourists feign a lack of English, adopt a coquettish manner and play dumb to probe the area’s perimeter and identify its weak and strong points.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Additional coquettish details came from ruffles at the bodice of the dress and lace peeking above the neckline.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Simply brushing them out of your eyes can feel like a coquettish, kittenish gesture!
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
Pink lace trim and bow accents give a standard French tip a pretty, coquettish touch.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Their pearly-white feathers and coquettish long necks have been popping up all over the home decor space in recent months—on tabletops, in paper form, and even in lighting.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 12 Nov. 2025
Nab this charming bag, which comes in all sorts of coquettish florals and prints that flawlessly fit the aesthetic.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 31 May 2026
The desire for mental stimulation, variety and excitement is undeniable, but beneath all of the coquettish energy, something vulnerable is also starting to unfold.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
The intelligence official, who helps train America’s newest generation of overseas intelligence officers, said these pretend tourists feign a lack of English, adopt a coquettish manner and play dumb to probe the area’s perimeter and identify its weak and strong points.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Additional coquettish details came from ruffles at the bodice of the dress and lace peeking above the neckline.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Simply brushing them out of your eyes can feel like a coquettish, kittenish gesture!
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
Pink lace trim and bow accents give a standard French tip a pretty, coquettish touch.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Their pearly-white feathers and coquettish long necks have been popping up all over the home decor space in recent months—on tabletops, in paper form, and even in lighting.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 12 Nov. 2025
Nab this charming bag, which comes in all sorts of coquettish florals and prints that flawlessly fit the aesthetic.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coquettish
Adjective
-
Simply brushing them out of your eyes can feel like a coquettish, kittenish gesture!—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Seductively kittenish, Gardner lives up to her profane reputation.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2023
Adjective
-
But the buzziest news for Mammoth will likely be its initial public offering, although the co-CEOs played coy about those potential plans.—
Amelia Lucas,Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
-
Prince William has even played it coy.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
On June 14, the moon will renew itself in Gemini, setting the stage for intellectually stimulating conversations and flirtatious encounters.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
The female gaze Few women photographed Monroe, and there’s a stark contrast between Arnold’s naturalistic, candid style and the more flirtatious interplay of her male counterparts.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Despite the actress’s desire for something more demure, the dress itself was actually quite ornate.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
-
Growing up a ballet dancer, Geier is very poised, mindful, and demure.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coquettish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coquettish. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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