FLIRTING Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

flirting

verb

present participle of flirt

as in teasing

to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun the servers at that restaurant flirt with all the customers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in darting

to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements lazily watched the butterflies flirting among the wildflowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Still, partners should communicate about when flirting feels appropriate, DeSeta added. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026 He's spent large amounts of time courting and flirting with unpredictable adversaries like North Korea and Russia. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 Companies that liked to play it safe were willing to take on the far right-flirting Musk. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 And, with this year’s Angels flirting with the first 100-loss season in franchise history, are the Angels going to be much better next year? — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 However, with Martinez pushing to leave again and flirting with Juventus, Villa decided to grant him his wish and brought in Zion Suzuki from Parma as his replacement. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 In the 1974 song, Parton sings about a woman flirting with her man. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026 It’s been so hot in North Texas this summer that even the low temperatures are flirting with breaking records. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 This is indeed a response to Julian’s open flirting with Barca. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirting

Verb

The full trailer — teasing what’s to come in episodes 1-8 — is out and totally re-watchable.

— Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
After years spent teasing a legally impossible third term, Trump is now describing life after January 2029, picturing himself at home as a successor claims credit.

— Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of teasing

Verb

One TikTok of the scrappy piggy dodging cars and darting between would-be animal rescuers’ legs racked up nearly a half million views.

— Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Then, after a bullet hit Kirk, Robinson could be seen darting across the roof, dropping to ground level and sprinting away on foot, Hull added.

— Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of darting

Verb

The formula is one of those shampoos formulated for a really great wash—delivering moisture and smoothing without toying too far into volumizing, densifying, or hair growth.

— Ellie Davis, Vogue, 25 June 2026
The age-gap romance is one that Statsky said the writers have been toying around with for quite some time.

— Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of toying

Verb

Upon further review of the camera footage, Sam Gough, a park supervisor for the Incline Village General Improvement District, said the light appeared to be just a bug flitting across the lens.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
An airy, not-too-sweet vanilla like Taunt is the perfect encapsulation of a Gemini who’s always flitting from one topic of interest to the next.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026

Definition of flitting

Verb

In the highlight, Marshall retrieves the ball and oddly fires it back to the infield, fooling no one.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Anybody hoping that a Netanyahu defeat in October and the emergence of a less controversial successor will reset the table is likely fooling themselves.

— Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of fooling

Verb

But Guthrie wasn’t kidding, slipping into a yellow gingham dress before joining her co-hosts on the Today Show Plaza to greet visitors.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Just kidding, but seeing Angela’s team sweep Shamea’s at the Bailey Bowl basketball tournament was almost as satisfying as knowing Charles got to witness his former team’s historic win in person.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Definition of kidding

Verb

This movie features a flash mob with you and Jasmine Trinca dancing to the Rolling Stones.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
Built for polar exploration, this vessel features a cozy alpine-meets-the-sea vibe, with faux-fur pillows, plush blankets for staying warm and three fireplaces with dancing water vapor flames.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026