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Definition of flirtnext
as in wanton
a person who playfully shows another amorous attention he's just a harmless flirt, so don't take him seriously

Synonyms & Similar Words

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1
as in to tease
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun the servers at that restaurant flirt with all the customers

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to flit
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements lazily watched the butterflies flirting among the wildflowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flirt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of flirt are coquet, dally, toy, and trifle. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

When is coquet a more appropriate choice than flirt?

In some situations, the words coquet and flirt are roughly equivalent. However, coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When could dally be used to replace flirt?

The synonyms dally and flirt are sometimes interchangeable, but dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

When might toy be a better fit than flirt?

Although the words toy and flirt have much in common, toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

In what contexts can trifle take the place of flirt?

The meanings of trifle and flirt largely overlap; however, trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flirt
Noun
One flirts and drinks and dallies and dances; the other is part child, part monk, his mantel packed with icons and crucifixes, his inner landscape a kind of mental Sagrada Família — a weird and extraordinary edifice constructed around the rigors and promises of Christianity. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 As crude flirts with prices of $100 a barrel or more on the back of the war in Iran, could the US oil sector ride to the rescue of consumers? David Wethe, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
The most recent season also revealed that Wilson flirted with Miller throughout the summer, raising her hopes for a possible reconciliation, only to hook up with her best friend months later. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 8 July 2026 The stock's trading just under $200, a level it's flirted with since late last month, down 17% from its May record and up just 4% on the year, as investors have turned their attention to other AI components, like the memory-makers. Oliver Renick, CNBC, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt
Noun
  • Critics argue that the wanton use of such a powerful tool at best, betrays the dignity of the office and, at worst, spreads confusion and misinformation during times of national anxiety.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 4 June 2026
  • Many critics of such wanton cosmic acquisitiveness balk at the idea of scarcely regulated private-sector lunar strip-mining.
    Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • At times, the Swiss filmmaker teases the possibility that the conventional narrative shown thus far might break into a bold, daring twist.
    Elena Lazic, Variety, 11 July 2026
  • The pair talked strategy and teased the possibility of more deals, notably with ITV Studios seen as an acquisition target.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • The Spanish, who had at first just flitted along the coast in their galleons, had begun marching inland and overland from Mexico with crosses and soldiers and soldiers’ families.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Mosquitoes and moths flit around porch lights all night long.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The formula is one of those shampoos formulated for a really great wash—delivering moisture and smoothing without toying too far into volumizing, densifying, or hair growth.
    Ellie Davis, Vogue, 25 June 2026
  • The pair even toyed around with the idea of a potential collaboration.
    Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • His plan worked, and the bear darted to the side of the road before disappearing back into the woods.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • So far, the Pentagon has released three batches of files ranging from decades-old FBI reports to more recent military videos showing orbs darting or soaring through the sky.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Don’t be fooled by their shocking price point—the bottoms have an expensive air thanks to their chic statement pockets and effortless wide-leg silhouette.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • The fluffy blooms on mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) look pretty in pink, but don’t be fooled by their dainty appearance.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • This isn't the first time a butterfly motif has fluttered, so to speak, into Larsson's glam routine.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 July 2026
  • Just thinking of what his subjects, used to the continuity of antiquity, might have made of this makes the heart flutter.
    Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • But that still left the less-than-trifling matter of the second tier’s title to settle, as the teams were locked together on 97 points with one game still to play.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, that global temperature record that DiCaprio mentioned in his acceptance speech in 2016 seems almost trifling compared to what has happened since.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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