as in flirtatiousness
the attitude or behavior of one who insincerely courts the amorous attentions of others
somehow got the bizarre notion that flirtation was appropriate during a job interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of flirtation
The possibility of a Chase and Taylor flirtation causing a rift with Miranda is briefly raised and just as swiftly quashed — through large mouthfuls of chips and salsa, Taylor assures Miranda at the sip-and-see that there is no there there.
—
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Over-flirtation, ridiculous situations.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Some of you also might begin a secret flirtation or a romance with someone in a position of power.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Will Trump’s growing flirtations with American boots on the ground risk a quagmire that will swallow American lives and souls similar to the experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq?
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
The Padres’ years-long flirtation with Alex Verdugo has finally resulted in his joining the organization.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
The party’s flirtation with economic populism could serve to push away some of the remaining conservative doctors operating private practices.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
The stakes are not equal; her dream of a future could be a meaningless flirtation to him.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
Tragedies befall teens all the time, and in this case, the focus is on moving forward, as represented by Minnie’s tentative flirtation with a girl named Kat (Iman Vellani).
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Over-flirtation, ridiculous situations.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Some of you also might begin a secret flirtation or a romance with someone in a position of power.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Will Trump’s growing flirtations with American boots on the ground risk a quagmire that will swallow American lives and souls similar to the experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq?
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
The Padres’ years-long flirtation with Alex Verdugo has finally resulted in his joining the organization.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
The party’s flirtation with economic populism could serve to push away some of the remaining conservative doctors operating private practices.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
The stakes are not equal; her dream of a future could be a meaningless flirtation to him.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
Tragedies befall teens all the time, and in this case, the focus is on moving forward, as represented by Minnie’s tentative flirtation with a girl named Kat (Iman Vellani).
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirtation
Noun
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Evocative animation, with subdued blue hues and soft lighting, conveys the flirtatiousness of their rapid connection in a scene where the two swim together in a pool at night.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The three-inch heels that the women wear when performing the dance are visible at the bottom of the skirt—a demure bit of coquetry.—
Fernanda Pérez Sánchez,
Vogue,
8 Aug. 2022
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In other words, the most dizzying and most consequential storyline of Michigan’s offseason — Harbaugh’s coquetry with the Minnesota Vikings notwithstanding — is going to linger a while longer.—
Michael Cohen,
Detroit Free Press,
27 July 2022
Noun
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There is her coyness about her future plans, and her own recent memoir.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
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The Hunting Wives strips away any coyness about sexuality in the first three minutes of episode one.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
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This run in pool play served as a monumental, if expected, step for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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Some fans of rival clubs may take exception to either side’s style of play, or fanbase, or history, or manager, or some of their players, or their owners, financial might or, in City’s case, the pending Premier League charges.—
The Athletic,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flirtation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirtation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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