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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Recent Examples of flitter
Here’s a look at what’s been behind the market’s surprising strength:
What sets a stock’s price
Stock prices flitter up and down every second for myriad reasons, many of which no one can explain.
—
Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026
But there was also a significant contingent from DR Congo, resplendent in light blue, their flags flittering in the afternoon breeze.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Acknowledging that the debt-forgiveness fairy isn’t flittering in the wings on graduation day calls for careful assessment of college plans, dreams, and reality.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Black and gold flags flitter in the wind in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, attached to homes with a Terrible Towel likely somewhere inside.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Dec. 2025
His neuroses flitter around him like fireflies.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Too many famous names flitter in and out of Selected Letters to list them all, but here is a small sampling: John Cheever, Erica Jong, Roger Angell, Norman Mailer, Italo Calvino, George Plimpton, Karl Shapiro, Lorrie Moore, Cynthia Ozick, Tina Brown, Kurt Vonnegut, Ian McEwan.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2025
There might be a butterfly flittering about barren aspen trunks.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025
Coaches and friends flitter in and out.
—Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026
But there was also a significant contingent from DR Congo, resplendent in light blue, their flags flittering in the afternoon breeze.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Acknowledging that the debt-forgiveness fairy isn’t flittering in the wings on graduation day calls for careful assessment of college plans, dreams, and reality.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Black and gold flags flitter in the wind in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, attached to homes with a Terrible Towel likely somewhere inside.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Dec. 2025
His neuroses flitter around him like fireflies.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Too many famous names flitter in and out of Selected Letters to list them all, but here is a small sampling: John Cheever, Erica Jong, Roger Angell, Norman Mailer, Italo Calvino, George Plimpton, Karl Shapiro, Lorrie Moore, Cynthia Ozick, Tina Brown, Kurt Vonnegut, Ian McEwan.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2025
There might be a butterfly flittering about barren aspen trunks.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025
Coaches and friends flitter in and out.
—Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flitter
Verb
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Early mornings at Mukwa are quiet, with mist rising off the river and birds flitting along the river bank.—
Sarah Kingdom,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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Their father, Nahuel (Amién), flits from one romantic affair to another, failing to recognize his shortcomings the way fathers typically forget minor yet significant details, like mistaking his younger daughter’s shoe size or never delivering on his promise to have the sink fixed.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Harvey Barnes interjected and darted forward, crossing for Nick Woltemade, but West Ham were playing at 33rpm to Newcastle’s 45.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to serve the ICC arrest warrant, but dela Rosa darted toward a narrow stairway into the Senate plenary hall and sought the help of allied senators, who took him into protective custody.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Xi and a line-up of his top officials shook hands with the Russian president, before the relaxed-looking leaders stood shoulder to shoulder during a gun salute, while a military band played and Russian and Chinese flags fluttered in the background.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
20 May 2026
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As of Wednesday, the flags of the 48 nations competing in the World Cup began fluttering, crisscrossed above the plaza at Crown Center.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flitter. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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