as in flitting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
the housefly darted about the room until it found an open window and flew out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of darting
The singer-songwriter’s second album spotlights her wayward, darting mind and steadily droning guitar, with help from a constellation of fellow indie rockers from New York City and the Hudson Valley.
—
Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Testifying in his own defense, Tyler said Wofford pointed a gun at him, her finger on the trigger, hands slightly shaking and eyes darting.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
The letter writer doesn’t bother to research to see if deer birth control is in existence, but those currently in use in the United States involve darting or injecting females to trigger antibodies that prevent pregnancy.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
Blennies and gobies are tiring to look at, darting every which way above.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The Meta boss appeared in a dark suit and gray tie, his signature chestnut curls slightly mussed, darting occasional nervous looks at the jury and the 20-year-old plaintiff, who sat in the courtroom gallery.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Helicopter footage showed the man darting out from the wrecked Charger in a black T-shirt and white shorts.
—Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Feb. 2026
Tracking each bear over the ice with helicopters and periodically darting them to take body measurements on the ground, the researchers were able to estimate the animals’ overall physical health—a metric called body condition index, or BCI.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
The footage ends as the officer glances back toward the bench where the suspect was supposed to be handcuffed, before giving chase, with two other officers quickly darting out from behind the reception desk to join her.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Testifying in his own defense, Tyler said Wofford pointed a gun at him, her finger on the trigger, hands slightly shaking and eyes darting.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
The letter writer doesn’t bother to research to see if deer birth control is in existence, but those currently in use in the United States involve darting or injecting females to trigger antibodies that prevent pregnancy.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
Blennies and gobies are tiring to look at, darting every which way above.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
The Meta boss appeared in a dark suit and gray tie, his signature chestnut curls slightly mussed, darting occasional nervous looks at the jury and the 20-year-old plaintiff, who sat in the courtroom gallery.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Helicopter footage showed the man darting out from the wrecked Charger in a black T-shirt and white shorts.
—Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Feb. 2026
Tracking each bear over the ice with helicopters and periodically darting them to take body measurements on the ground, the researchers were able to estimate the animals’ overall physical health—a metric called body condition index, or BCI.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
The footage ends as the officer glances back toward the bench where the suspect was supposed to be handcuffed, before giving chase, with two other officers quickly darting out from behind the reception desk to join her.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darting
Verb
-
Hammond is flitting around the festival wearing a button-up shirt embroidered with the word SWEAT.—
Madeline Leung Coleman,
Curbed,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Watch for Carolina chickadees flitting through trees.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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October marks the start of butterfly season, with vibrant swarms fluttering well into the green season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The sudden movement sends the birds fluttering away from you, to watch and wait.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Since then, Spears has largely used Instagram to communicate with fans, frequently posting solo videos of herself dancing.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
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Kate Middleton's busy day in Leicester, England, has so far included dancing with worshippers barefoot and paying subtle tribute (via her earrings) to her husband Prince William.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The name Dekopin in Japanese refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
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In Japanese, the word refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darting. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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