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
Someone who plans extravagant dates and shows you off…but also flirts with others or lies about small things in ways that leave you second-guessing your worth. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025 The two flirt through the stalls, unable to fully see the other. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Emmett was falsely accused of flirting and making advances at Bryant Donham. Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025 Trump, after all, flirted with bombing cartel fentanyl labs in Mexico during his first term. Daniel R. Depetris, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt
Noun
  • Huger was ultimately charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
    Liza Esquibias, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Spiker was arrested on charges including wanton endangerment and criminal mischief, WKBO reported.
    Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Speaking on a panel, Erik from Sharabati Denim teased an upcoming project that will re-wire how the company procures cotton.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The game doesn’t yet have a firm release date, with only a vague 2026 window teasing its launch on PlayStation 5 and PC.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Aronofsky has, since the grittiness of Pi and Requiem for a Dream, flitted with alacrity from genre to genre, trying his hand at biblical epics (Noah) and claustrophobic dramas (The Whale).
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The episode’s first half feels like the work of a misguided pest, and Beto’s filmmaking, which flits between several different styles and cuts between multiple angles sometimes within the course of one interview segment, doesn’t help.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Three flies darted around near the back door.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • And Bryce Harper made a play on a bunt, darting into the infield and throwing the ball to Alec Bohm at third for a force-out to keep runners on first and second.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hurricanes explained by Ginger Zee Don't be fooled by the lack of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Basin.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • After driving his team to the 1-yard line, Fields fooled the entire Steelers defense on a fourth down, faking a handoff and then high-stepping into the end zone untouched to take a 32-31 lead.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • From November to March, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve transforms into a vibrant, fluttering kingdom.
    Gaby Keiderling, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Their tops and Tate’s hair fluttered in the breeze of a wind machine absurdly cranked up to Stage 4 hurricane levels.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In 2019, Lung made a deal with Pop Mart, a company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers, to sell the figurines.
    Fortune, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
  • On the heels of his success with Outer Banks, Lilah's father began to toy around with the idea of a show that details the origin story of a band, which would eventually turn into The Runarounds.
    Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At a time when most goalies were under 6 feet, Dryden was a towering 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, but still had nimble feet to dance around the net and kick pucks into the corners.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Once a month, guests come together to dance under the night sky at its legendary full moon parties.
    Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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