FLIRT Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

flirt 1 of 2

noun

Definition of flirt

as in wanton

a person who playfully shows another amorous attention he's just a harmless flirt, so don't take him seriously

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flirt

2 of 2

verb

ˈflərt

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

as in to flit

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

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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

The daughter of screenwriter Arnold Manoff and Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress/director Lee Grant, Dinah Manoff played Marty Maraschino, the Pink Ladies' biggest flirt. — Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 The hole’s narrow fairway flirts with disaster on both sides – water and super high rough. — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026

Verb

Between Jordan’s charm and Misty’s smile that only emerges around him, the film flirts with becoming a romantic comedy. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Extreme jealousy is another warning sign, Ray-Jones added, which may manifest as accusations of flirting or cheating. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flirt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt

Noun

The second, while there were no victims, led to the arrest of a 15-year-old boy who was charged with 33 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and one count of possession of a handgun by a minor.

— Ruby Grisin, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Aug. 2026
Beyond Ormund, the episode is meant to give a sense of the wanton destruction wreaked upon innocent civilians in the midst of war.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of wanton

Verb

Stellantis There's also all the homologation and regulatory hurdles attached to having something that flits between being a passenger-car and a light truck.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
Multiple anglers reeled in yellowfin tuna, which were visible through the clear water flitting back and forth near the boat.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of flit

Verb

The wildly popular NeeDoh squishy cubes are often the go-to toy for the trend, despite warnings against heating them on the box.

— Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
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

Definition of toy

Verb

Through the first four games of the Broncos’ 2026 season, though, those openings have been harder to spot and dart to.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026
In non-linear fashion, Sorkin’s scenario darts back and forth between 2018, ’19, ’20 and ’21, offering a puzzle that eventually will come all together.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of dart

Verb

Yellow caution tape fluttered in the wind as water poured into a room strewn with wooden debris, an upturned refrigerator and a television.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Out in the garden, living butterflies flutter among orchids and flowering shrubs, some landing in butterfly traps hanging from the trees.

— Sophie Neiman, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of flutter

Verb

In the mid-19th century, the question was of trifling interest to mapmakers, who had far more than four colors at their disposal and saw no particular reason to restrict their palette.

— Gregory Barber, Quanta Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of trifle

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“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flirt

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verb

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Synonyms of flirt

noun

verb

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