Synonyms of flirt

flirt 1 of 4

noun (1)

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

• wanton
• flirter
• vamp
• coquette
• coquet
• soubrette
• jade

flirt

2 of 4

verb (1)

ˈflərt 

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

• tease
• toy
• fool
• trifle
• coquet
• woo
• kid
• vamp
• rib
• court
• frivol
• mash
• mess around
• manipulate
• razz
• dally
• play (with)
• lead on
• put on
• string along
• josh

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

• flit
• dart
• flutter
• dance
• flick
• fly
• scurry
• flicker
• zip
• wander
• flitter
• sail
• speed
• scuttle
• roam
• sprint
• scamper
• skip
• zoom
• zing
• shoot
• dash
• skitter
• meander
• ramble
• scud

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hang
• float
• hover

flirt (with)

3 of 4

verb (2)

as in to woo

to act so as to make (something) more likely

you're flirting with death by driving so recklessly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• woo
• invite
• fish (for)
• ask (for)
• look for
• seek
• court
• angle (for)
• search
• hunt
• tempt
• provoke

flirtation

4 of 4

noun (2)

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

• flirtatiousness
• coquetry
• coyness
• coquettishness
• play
• dalliance
• kittenishness

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

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

In 2025, the timing of the Cannes dress code announcement allowed a few rebels to get around the new rules—from Heidi Klum and her dramatic ruffle train to Bella Hadid, whose daring split dress also flirted with the limits imposed by Cannes protocol. —Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 12 May 2026

Trian already owns about 16% of the fast-food chain and flirted with a takeover a few years ago. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 12 May 2026

Noun

In a weird form of Shakespearean locker-room talk, the two josh each other about women; H is involved with Mina, while the Rude Boy renews his flirtation with Ophelia. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Now, some critics and supporters of the agency suggest that last year’s flirtations with environmental deregulation were just a warm-up act to what’s happening this year. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing flirt

• flirt (with)