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

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

Sliding effortlessly from incisive observer to chaotic flirt to exhausting narcissist, Firstman is never not in on the joke. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 May 2026 Surrounded by honeymooners, June tries (and flirts) to reclaim her joie de vivre, while Lela is deep in the dark. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 6 May 2026

Verb

There’s no real conflict at the table, aside from Kyle continuing to harp on Gizelle lightly flirting with Mauricio on RHOP last season. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026 Monday’s National Weather Service forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 94 degrees, flirting with a record high of 95 in Miami for the day, Gonzalez said. — Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flirt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt

Noun

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
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

Definition of wanton

Verb

There was a few months of speculation that Grande and Álvarez had reunited, with Grande coyly teasing their coupledom.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2026
The launch is the inaugural step in Shiseido’s bigger strategy of building a credible reputation in fragrances for Max Mara, as executives teased other launches are on the way.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of tease

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

Other textiles in the house were found in India, Egypt, and Kuwait, where Consuelo bought a Bedouin tent, soon to be installed among the fig, persimmon, and pomegranate trees—and the darting lizards—in the gardens.

— Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026
This conversation was taking place in Jaya Aunty’s living room, and Nidhi’s eyes kept darting about.

— Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of dart

Verb

Today, some are convincing enough to fool experts, helped along by a market where documentation is scarce and comprehensive catalogs and archives are rare.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
No case illustrates the ease with which they are fooled like the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of fool

Verb

These days, Jackson and her drag king character live in Ramsgate, a port town on England’s southeast coast where – much like Pat’s flag – strings of Union Jacks flutter along the harbor.

— Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
For Arbaeen, the lights inside the shrine and the flags fluttering from its golden dome are switched to red – the color of vengeance.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of flutter

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

Definition of trifle

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“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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verb

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Synonyms of flirt

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing flirt

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More from Merriam-Webster on flirt

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