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
Oil, after notching double-digit declines, is again flirting with $100 a barrel. Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026 Even Lala, who proved her worth this episode by flirting with her very hot and shockingly age-appropriate lifeguard while at her daughter’s party. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt
Noun
  • His characters enjoy casual conversation but don’t brook wanton confession.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The additional murder charge, filed Friday, requires proving Sahil acted with wanton disregard for others and knowingly engaged in high-risk behavior.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Or maybe, as some eyebrow-raising posts on social media jokingly teased, foreshadowing a possible papal presidential run?
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Bieber teased his headlining set with a preview performance at the Roxy in Los Angeles just over a week before the festival.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and Chace Crawford catapulted to fame playing the scheming social butterflies flitting around Gossip Girl's Upper East Side.
    Rachel DeSantis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
  • These words are fascinating to consider in relation to Soderbergh, who has flitted among genres and subjects with a facility that is easily mistaken for dilettantism, or even ventriloquism.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 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
  • As soon as the door opens, Sadie jumps up to greet Koch before darting off to grab a toy, bounding back toward Koch with her tail still wagging.
    Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Hummingbirds need open space when hunting for insects, so plants should be in clusters with hover space in between, allowing the birds good visibility and clear space to dart after a meal on the wing.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And last month, the FBI announced that individuals associated with Russian intelligence were posing as Signal’s security department to fool American government officials and journalists into providing information that would allow the hackers to take over their accounts.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Many a hunter has been fooled into giving up too soon.
    Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Video from the scene hours after the fire first erupted showed ash fluttering through the air and burned paper in the yards of homes across the street from the warehouse.
    Joy Benedict, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Also making hearts flutter on #TGITs was Olivia Pope's relationship with Jake Ballard, played by Scott Foley.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 5 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 16 Apr. 2026.

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