flirt 1 of 2

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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flirt

2 of 2

verb

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
As gold flirts with all-time highs again, headlines are quick to shout what many family offices already know: when the world trembles, gold glitters. Francois Botha, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 In the middle of all this, Alexa and Lino remain pretty steadfast in their commitment to each other (except when Lino occasionally gets the urge to cheat and flirts with Alex, who turns him down every time). Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
Canada’s been flirting with greater independence ever since Trump suggested annexing it as the 51st state, slapped tariffs on its exports, then changed his mind – only to circle back around with another tariff threat. Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 3 July 2025 The beginning of a nationwide expansion? Clem and Mueller, the famed Louie Mueller’s granddaughter, who died in 2023, previously flirted with the idea of opening a La Barbecue restaurant in Los Angeles, but logistics and costs squashed that idea. Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for flirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt
Noun
  • He was found not guilty of wanton endangerment in March 2022.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2025
  • Callen is being charged with one count of first-degree assault, four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and one count of unlawfully permitting a minor to possess a handgun.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The ending might seem pleasingly final, but watch for a predictable and quite unnecessary post-credits sting that sets up the Fantastic Four’s return with a cliffhanger and teases the return of a very familiar character.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 July 2025
  • Interestingly, Google is also teasing new offers for the Pixel 10.
    Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • But 90 seconds later, Spain’s Esther Gonzalez flitted in behind Portugal’s high defensive line, taking down a raking pass from left-back Olga Carmona with her shoulder before bundling the ball beyond Pereira.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 July 2025
  • Food trucks serving churros, street corn, and empanadas flitted in and out of the facility.
    Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • In this example, against Brentford in November 2023, Kudus darts inside the penalty area and attacks the space behind Vitaly Janelt to offer Said Benrahma a crossing option towards the back post.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • Thanks to Oracle Park’s architecture and geometry, the ball took a sharp bounce off the concrete and darted towards left field.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • His impersonation is so convincing that Lu and Shin are initially fooled.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • Don’t let the size fool you—this ultra-compact charger delivers impressive speed and efficiency for its footprint.
    Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Their small pink petals flutter every time there’s a breeze.
    Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 2 July 2025
  • The homeowner's Stars and Stripes, which was fluttering on the flagpole beside the entrance, was tangled.
    Ronnie Li, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Dacus had been toying around with the ideas behind the song for a while: the beautiful minutiae of sharing a life with someone, and betting on love in the face of inevitable change.
    James Factora, Them, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Crystal Palace After toying in the past with the idea of returning to the club’s original home a couple of miles across south London in Crystal Palace Park, plans to redevelop Selhurst Park (an idea first floated by then chairman Ron Noades in the 1990s) were announced in 2017.
    Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The soccer is the show, and fans provide music with their vocal cords and dancing with their hips.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • Alcaraz hit a deep defensive shot and recovered quickly, dancing across the court with fleet little steps, and ran around his backhand to hit a forehand down the line.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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