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
Fire up the flirt pole Cats have teaser wands, dogs have flirt poles. Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 White breaks down where to meet men based on four different flirt styles. Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Lakers made 17 of their first 33 3-point attempts while the starters were still playing, flirting with the franchise record for 3-point shooting percentage before finishing 18 of 39. CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026 Houston could tie or break a 40-year-old heat record Thursday, while parts of South Texas will be flirting with their first 100-degree day of the year. Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt
Noun
  • Meier said their wanton and reckless conduct and failure to stop the boxing match led to Delgado-Garcia's serious injuries and death.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Yvonne Shanks faces charges of first-degree assault with domestic violence, first-degree criminal abuse of a child 12 or under, first-degree wanton endangerment and endangering the welfare of a minor.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Coach teased the launch of its book charms in a series of social media posts starring actors Elle Fanning and Storm Reid, WNBA player Paige Bueckers and musicians SOYEON, Lilas and Shan Yichun.
    Angela Yang, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Honor humanoid robot Meanwhile, Honor teased its first humanoid robot on stage at its MWC launch event.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Passengers swapped T-shirts with sweaters as the train gathered speed, and the plains around Bologna flitted by the window.
    Vic O'Sullivan, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Broadcom — Shares of the heavyweight chipmaker flitted between gains and losses in the extended session.
    Pia Singh,Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
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
  • Quite quickly after the judges picked a winner in the Quickfire Challenge, crews darted in to clean up the makeshift kitchen stacked with Bosch appliances and aluminum tables serving as workspaces.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Instead, a small monkey darted between rocks, trailing older members of the troop.
    Joshua Mellin, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Don’t be fooled by the name; despite its slouchy appearance, this shoulder purse can fit a laptop, a notebook, a small makeup bag, and more.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Stallings hung the breaking ball and Bader wasn’t fooled.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Our bodies go about their business, but our deeper selves flutter, like those blind moths, into that dim waiting room and linger until some inscrutable opening is granted us to start living again.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Dollar bills flutter around his feet.
    Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The rise may seem trifling, but staffers work long hours, and a caffeine budget is a necessity.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The health factor is no trifling qualifier for a player who has missed time with shoulder and oblique injuries, in addition to that unfortunate incident with his pelvic floor.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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