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
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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
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
-
Aronofsky has, since the grittiness of Pi and Requiem for a Dream, flitted with alacrity from genre to genre, trying his hand at biblical epics (Noah) and claustrophobic dramas (The Whale).—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
29 Aug. 2025
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The episode’s first half feels like the work of a misguided pest, and Beto’s filmmaking, which flits between several different styles and cuts between multiple angles sometimes within the course of one interview segment, doesn’t help.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Just across from the main entrance to App State, the small parking lot has cars darting in and out all day.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
31 Aug. 2025
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For example, if a Moxi reaches the end of a corridor and has an option to turn left or right, the eyes will first dart right, followed by the head, which also hosts a camera, and then the body will follow in that direction.—
Dr. Jonathan Reichental,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
From November to March, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve transforms into a vibrant, fluttering kingdom.—
Gaby Keiderling,
Robb Report,
4 Sep. 2025
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Their tops and Tate’s hair fluttered in the breeze of a wind machine absurdly cranked up to Stage 4 hurricane levels.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flitter. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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