flirt 1 of 2

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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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

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
Retrogrades aren’t meant to stall you, they’re meant to rewire you, so if your flirt game feels off or your passion projects aren’t clicking, don’t force it. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025 Fire up the flirt pole Cats have teaser wands, dogs have flirt poles. Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Not that the Beatles hadn’t flirted with the bad‑boy image. Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026 The two starters matched zeros through four innings and both flirted with no-hitters. Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt
Noun
  • Additional charges included 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.
    Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • His characters enjoy casual conversation but don’t brook wanton confession.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Murphy walked onto the stage and then teased Lee’s love of the Knicks.
    John Ross, Vanity Fair, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Mythos, a new artificial intelligence model that Anthropic PBC has teased as too dangerous to release, looked at first like a problem for banks.
    Parmy Olson, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The water spider, according to Cherokee legend, was able to flit across the water to retrieve life-saving coal that could warm the cold world.
    Keith Sharon, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
  • This commentary was not from a wonkish TikToker nor a network pundit but from TMZ, the merciless purveyor of celebrity dirt, which published the images of Graham after a citizen vacationer noticed the senator flitting through the theme park and sent pictures.
    Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The age-gap romance is one that Statsky said the writers have been toying around with for quite some time.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Here, Matcha Milk toys the line between sweet and earthy, blending macadamia milk and vanilla with black tea and matcha accord.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong dashed from third base, tapped the plate and then darted to the fans behind home, jumping on the railing against the netting to celebrate the Chicago Cubs’ walk-off, extra-innings, 2-1 win over the New York Mets at Wrigley Field.
    Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The hungry sharks surrounded Barley in the clips, leaping out of the water and quickly darting around his Sea-Doo.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The shark is a pleasing stand-in for a big bossy grownup, easily fooled.
    Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Don’t be fooled by Morejón’s unsightly ERA.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The adult moths are attracted to light and will flutter around in the kitchen after sunset looking for a mate.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Kick your legs in small up-and-down fluttering motions while keeping your lower back flat and abs tight throughout.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Meek lives with her dad, Smooch (Will Cobbs), a former Black Panther who now runs a roller rink, and her not-to-be-trifled-with grandma, Puddin (Lizan Mitchell).
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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