flirting

Definition of flirtingnext
present participle of flirt

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 flirting During one table read, Telfer orchestrated a plan to have Cusack sit beside him and share a script, flirting throughout the night. Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025 Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, touted the decrease in fuel costs, with the national average flirting with the $3-per-gallon price point. Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025 Some of the women complained about unwanted touches, flirting, kisses and suggestive comments. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025 In recent weeks, several women who claim to have had interactions with Lewis over the past decade have shared their experiences on TikTok, providing screenshots and phone recordings that appear to show Lewis sexting, flirting, and arranging meetups with female fans. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025 Even the United States, which can sometimes appear allergic to collective transit, is once again flirting with the idea that speed and sustainability might share the same track. Chelsea Haney october 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025 But as college sports enters yet another year of flirting with institutional funds of all sorts—conversations that have drawn vocal pushback from fans, administrators and trustees—I’ve begun to pay close attention to how those in power talk about these deals. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025 And there are sadly reports that Urban was, indeed, flirting with other women before the two split. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 Oct. 2025 The patties themselves — two 3-ouncers; a combo of chuck, brisket and short rib — were bold and well-seasoned and dangerously flirting with the line between meaty juiciness and greasy slipperiness. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirting
Verb
  • Viewers see painful flashbacks throughout the show of classmates teasing Kelly about being overweight and daring her to drink urine.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
  • On Wednesday, Duff ramped up the anticipation for her new album, teasing a new song about dive bar hookups, inconvenient roommates, and a once-red-hot romance fizzling into the tombs of relationship graveyards.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The headlights of the long-haul trucks illuminated Joshua trees and darting bats.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 7 Jan. 2026
  • During early warm-ups for the Broncos-Chargers game, Dobbins spent over 30 minutes catching up with former Los Angeles teammates and coaches, darting over to the stands to sign a few autographs.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • At ease everywhere from flitting free jazz to looser, funkier textures, Allen abides, insistent but never overbearing on a session well worth the wait.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
  • That Cody Balmer avowed the Palestinian cause in his call to 911, despite no prior connection to it, fits the general pattern, since that’s what was flitting across his screens.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Consisting of wispy layers that create soft movement, akin to fluttering butterfly wings, the cut is a popular option for cascading long lengths.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Soft amber light illuminates gold jewelry, glossy lips, and brightly fabrics fluttering in the ocean breeze.
    PhotoVogue, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Early reports indicate that kids are fooling the age-recognition software with sophisticated techniques such as drawing on facial hair and substituting celebrity photos for their own.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025
  • Anyone who thinks that this is an issue that could have been solved by nominating a couple more Spider-Man movies is fooling themselves.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Large crowds of onlookers were treated to a performance of boxing and dancing on the show floor.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The images show vivid auroras dancing overhead and a fox below who seems far more interested in the photographer than the light show unfolding above.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Literally toxic lesbians — kidding.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
  • Just kidding - but honestly not sold on him being the best player on a championship caliber team.
    The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Older supporters will remember it well and, if anyone from the younger generation wants a glimpse into those times, perhaps a good place to start is by flicking through the pages of The Complete History Of Manchester City, written by football historian Gary James and published in 1997.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
  • The reptile reacts to being picked up by flicking its meaty tail back and forth, whacking a few of the deputies.
    Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flirting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirting. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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