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
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Recent Examples of flirtation
Starting over was first impossible, then daunting, and then slowly manifested through a combination of therapy and more spiritual remedies (brief flirtations with Scientology and the Nation of Islam didn’t take hold).
—
Jackson Howard, Pitchfork, 29 Mar. 2026
The couple has been together long enough that their alternating fracas and flirtations have become a familiar rhythm.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Which is exactly why Paradise’s increasingly disruptive flirtations with time travel feel frustrating on a structural level, like the show is cramming another puzzle box inside the puzzle box.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Each event was charged with undercurrents of romance and flirtation.
—Katherine Moses, The Conversation, 13 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
Jackson Howard, Pitchfork, 29 Mar. 2026
The couple has been together long enough that their alternating fracas and flirtations have become a familiar rhythm.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Which is exactly why Paradise’s increasingly disruptive flirtations with time travel feel frustrating on a structural level, like the show is cramming another puzzle box inside the puzzle box.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Each event was charged with undercurrents of romance and flirtation.
—Katherine Moses, The Conversation, 13 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
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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While still in play-in tournament territory, the Heat moved up the Eastern Conference standings.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Features such as infinite scroll and auto-play videos keep kids on the site, fostering addictive behavior that can lead to depression, anxiety and self-harm, the lawsuit claims.—
Diana Novak Jones,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flirtation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirtation. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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