as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
bargain hunters at the flea market flitted from table to table like hummingbirds in a garden
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flitting
The episode ends with a haunting overhead shot of the yard dotted with frozen clusters of kids in gray jumpsuits and the frantic staff outfitted in bright orange, flitting among them.
—
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Expect flocks of vibrant flamingos and tiny flitting hummingbirds spreading their wings over the turquoise waters and tangles of mangroves that unfold across lagoons that stretch parallel to the sea.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
To a different namesake, all this flitting indecision might seem like disrespect.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Powerful real estate developer Frank (Tracy Letts) looks at Lee like a pesky bug that keeps flitting about, yet he’s also amused by his antics.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
The BirdWeather devices automatically register bird calls and use them to identify the species, mostly to let bird fans know what's flitting through their yards.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Stop flitting around and stop straddling strategies by making the plan that becomes your default.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Even in her 90s, her easily flitting vocals astounded, bouncing from deep valleys to breathy peaks, and, like the best jazz, mimicking the volatility and joy of the human spirit.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Expect flocks of vibrant flamingos and tiny flitting hummingbirds spreading their wings over the turquoise waters and tangles of mangroves that unfold across lagoons that stretch parallel to the sea.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
To a different namesake, all this flitting indecision might seem like disrespect.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Powerful real estate developer Frank (Tracy Letts) looks at Lee like a pesky bug that keeps flitting about, yet he’s also amused by his antics.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
The BirdWeather devices automatically register bird calls and use them to identify the species, mostly to let bird fans know what's flitting through their yards.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Stop flitting around and stop straddling strategies by making the plan that becomes your default.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Even in her 90s, her easily flitting vocals astounded, bouncing from deep valleys to breathy peaks, and, like the best jazz, mimicking the volatility and joy of the human spirit.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flitting
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
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Their direct running, with pace and purpose, darting into spaces, meant Liverpool were under pressure from the speed with which Palace moved the ball in transition.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Yet there is still a whiff of old-fashioned British grandeur about the production, with its fluttering pennants, Norman kite shields, and mounted knights.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Quit dancing around the dialogue as Mercury and Chiron clash.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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The clip finds Meg rocking camo pants, tan boots and a wool hat while dancing to the track in the studio.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flitting. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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