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
Sincere flirts prioritize emotional bonds over physical attraction, using self-disclosure and high quality listening, which fosters perceptions of care and closeness. Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 In a funny throwback to the series’ roots, Bridget’s former boss and lover, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), previously presumed dead in a plane crash but now very much alive, is back as a dear friend, albeit still an outrageous flirt. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
While the market has roared back to life in recent weeks, the S & P 500 flirted with bear territory on an intraday basis as Trump’s initial announcement created uncertainty and ratcheted up fears of a recession. Alex Harring, CNBC, 8 May 2025 Trump and his allies have flirted with the idea of the president unconstitutionally running for a third term next general election cycle, but Trump himself backed off that idea in a Sunday interview with NBC News. Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for flirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt
Noun
  • The felling of at least 13 trees on public sidewalks over more than a week has sparked outrage across the city, with some suggesting the wanton vandalism marked a new low for a city that has been struggling with manifold social and economic crises.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • She was 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.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In a Zoom conversation prior to the release of Reacher Season 3 in February, Ritchson and Sten playfully teased the possibility.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Joy Behar teased, snapping Goldberg out of her short snooze.
    Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Visitors can fish, swim, and paddle on Lake Shelby, see native flora and fauna at the Nature Center on Middle Lake, and flit around the Butterfly Garden east of Little Lake.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Just don’t get too set on a bedtime—the aurora borealis might surprise you by flitting across the sky on a cloudless night.
    Maggie Fuller, AFAR Media, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But rather than a joyful but tranquil parade down the stage during the commencement ceremony, what happened instead was a high-speed foot chase, as Al Arab sprinted across the stage, clutching his baby boy, with a university police officer darting behind him.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 22 May 2025
  • Swallows inhabit some of these bluffs, darting after insects that flutter above the water.
    Alann B. Steen, Outdoor Life, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Don’t let the name fool you: Apple TV+’s new science-fiction series Murderbot isn’t actually about a rampaging robot killing everything in sight, though Alexander Skarsgard’s SecUnit certainly ponders the idea from time to time.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • One common jailbreak involved fooling ChatGPT by asking it to role-play as a different AI—one that had no rules and was allowed to write phishing e-mails.
    Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Swallows inhabit some of these bluffs, darting after insects that flutter above the water.
    Alann B. Steen, Outdoor Life, 21 May 2025
  • Songbirds cried in the surrounding trees, and the girl’s heart fluttered with unspeakable sadness.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Dacus had been toying around with the ideas behind the song for a while: the beautiful minutiae of sharing a life with someone, and betting on love in the face of inevitable change.
    James Factora, Them, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Crystal Palace After toying in the past with the idea of returning to the club’s original home a couple of miles across south London in Crystal Palace Park, plans to redevelop Selhurst Park (an idea first floated by then chairman Ron Noades in the 1990s) were announced in 2017.
    Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • There’s singing, dancing, bubbles and of course the Hot Dog Dance so synonymous with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The music video is no different, with psychedelic graphics, bright colors and dancing Smurfs galore (with Rihanna, 37, playing Smurfette).
    Marina Watts, People.com, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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