flitter

as in to flit
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements the birds flittered back and forth between the backyard feeder and the safety of the trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 flitter There might be a butterfly flittering about barren aspen trunks. Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025 Ringo was yellow submarines and octopus gardens, the mascot little brother, despite being the eldest Beatle, and the best at flittering above the feuds that afflicted the trio of geniuses around him. Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025 Our attention constantly jumps from one flittering speck to the next, and the storm of activity blocks our view of the whole sphere. Oshan Jarow, Vox, 8 Jan. 2025 Coaches and friends flitter in and out. Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025 My eyes gleefully flittered among the many gilded furnishings, opulent light fixtures, and damask wall treatments. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024 The unexpected sight of the little orange carp flittering around in a glorified puddle was everywhere, a social-media must-post, a Walden surrounded by concrete at a corner known as the Bed-Stuy Aquarium. The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024 As a result Rose flittered on the periphery of the game but was never readmitted to it. Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flitter
Verb
  • Birds flit around Atsu’s head and lead her to points of interest.
    Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
  • There are the strangest of butterflies flitting in my stomach.
    Sophie Ansari, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Inevitably, someone ended up swinging a quilt around to mimic the great snake’s darting heads and churning coils.
    Seamus Sullivan September 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Dobbins darted left after taking a handoff from Bo Nix on the first play of the third quarter, found a crease and zipped down the sideline for a 41-yard run.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the village is known for its year-round recreation and ubiquitous aspen trees, which make a stunning (albeit short) shift from fluttering green to bright yellow and orange with hints of red.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Councilwoman Stevens fluttered and snapped a folding fan.
    Henry Alford, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flitter. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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