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
Koufax had flirted with pitching greatness. Steve Futterman, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025 The company flirted with bankruptcy. Kyle Westaway, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 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
  • As of Tuesday night, South Park’s X account still hasn’t teased any hints of what Episode 5 will be about, something the show has done consistently before the previous three episodes.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Cardi teased on Today about the follow-up to her smash 2018 debut LP, Invasion of Privacy.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Expect flocks of vibrant flamingos and tiny flitting hummingbirds spreading their wings over the turquoise waters and tangles of mangroves that unfold across lagoons that stretch parallel to the sea.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • To a different namesake, all this flitting indecision might seem like disrespect.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The journalist’s eyes dart from side to side.
    Sara Stridsberg September 15, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
  • In a surveillance video released by authorities, Robinson allegedly darts across the roof after firing the single shot, jimmies down to a ledge and jumps to the grass below.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Your press release isn’t fooling anyone.
    Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Replacing Nina with a woman who has the same initials as her is not going to fool us!
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Later, Tom pours vodka into a Phillies cup and watches birds flutter by at night while Robbie gets his guns ready and shakes down a trap house.
    Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In the Lower West Side of Chicago, music blared and green, white and red flags fluttered down the streets of the predominantly Latino Pilsen neighborhood on Saturday as crowds gathered for the start of Mexican Independence Day celebrations.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 7 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
  • Women in brightly colored dresses danced in shoes that loudly clicked across the floor.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Auroras — Crown of Light by Kavan Chay Photographer Kavan Chay took this spectacular image of a red, green and yellow aurora dancing through the starry sky above Tumbledown Bay in New Zealand on May 10, 2024 during a category G5 geomagnetic storm.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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