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 Less than seven minutes into Friday’s 125-111 loss to the Boston Celtics, the Bulls already were flirting with a double-digit deficit. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026 Without it, growth would have slowed to a mere fraction of a percentage point, leaving the economy nearly stagnant and flirting with recession. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 The benchmark 10-year note spent the day flirting with the psychologically important 5% level as oil prices surged and a fresh consumer survey showed that inflation expectations remain a good distance above the Federal Reserve's 2% goal. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 And so the best buddies, who’ve been flirting since Season 1, are finally single at the same time. — Judy Berman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 After flirting with near-record heat in recent days, Kansas City will get a cool, gray taste of fall on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. — Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 Representations and Acknowledgements • Saeed and Molly, the two other junior associates at Taylor & Byrne, seem to be scoping out Johnny for their own uses; Molly, for her part, has already activated some light flirting. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 Extreme jealousy is another warning sign, Ray-Jones added, which may manifest as accusations of flirting or cheating. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 Basically, this thing is flirting pretty heavily with laptop territory. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirting

Verb

Trump had been teasing a potential face-to-face meeting with the world's leading nuclear superpowers for some time.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026
One thing that’s for sure is that SZA is definitely teasing new music.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of teasing

Verb

Airline and ground personnel at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport reported seeing a UFO hovering over the airport and then darting up, leaving a hole in the clouds.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Reacting to the obstacle darting out into the road, the bus driver hit the brakes, sending passengers tumbling.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 6 Nov. 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

Multiple anglers reeled in yellowfin tuna, which were visible through the clear water flitting back and forth near the boat.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of flitting

Verb

His Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Jessep isn’t fooling anyone with the calculated nonchalance and the propensity for quoting Melville and Shakespeare.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Scammers had been fooling Apple by returning iPhone boxes with the original accessories, internal components, or even the phone itself swapped out.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of fooling

Verb

Related Articles The dress was designed with a flowing sensibility in mind, featuring the Victorian design element of a high collar contrasted by fluttering bohemian shift silhouette, long sleeves and plenty of ruffles on the bodice and skirt.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026
To achieve that fluttering action, the material in these baits is very soft.

— Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of fluttering

Verb

The Rock the Holiday Christmas Parade with new floats and characters will feature elves, chefs, bakers and toy makers singing and dancing to classic Christmas songs during the procession through the park.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 12 Nov. 2026
That concern hasn’t gone away now that the Hawaii native is seemingly back to walking and dancing on stage.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 12 Nov. 2026