flutter 1 of 2

noun

Definition of flutternext
1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity the site saw a flutter of construction last month, but nothing's happening now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chance
chiefly British a risky undertaking most people regard the lottery as a harmless flutter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flutter

2 of 2

verb

ˈflə-tər How to pronounce flutter (audio)
1
as in to flit
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements a lonely butterfly fluttering across the lawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flap
to move or cause to move with a striking motion fluttered my eyelashes as I struck up a conversation with the new guy at work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 flutter
Noun
Seasonal sprites flit and flutter, providing transitional scenes, hinting at mystical elements whizzing all around within this otherwise very human plot. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026 An Iranian flag flutters in the wind as ships remain anchored on May 16, 2026 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 22 May 2026
Verb
Cassettes fluttered, CDs skipped, and choosing a dozen albums for a trip meant leaving dozens more behind. — New Atlas, 23 June 2026 In Second Nature, scientists theorize that Darwin couldn’t help but impose his own heterosexual ideations on animal reproduction, mainly that animals only copulate for the purposes of reproduction, with males being the aggressors and females fluttering their eyelids behind lace fans, or something. — Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for flutter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flutter
  1. flurry
  2. chance
  3. flit
  4. flap
  5. burst
  6. gamble
  7. dart
  8. flicker
Noun
  • Its results have sparked a flurry of activity as physicists try to determine whether the conflicting measurements are a side effect of different experimental procedures, or a sign that new particles are popping up after all.
    — Matt von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 29 July 2026
  • The nine innings the Giants played that followed the furious flurry of medical updates didn’t do much to lift the vibes.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • The rabid cheering section continued through the bottom of the ninth when Jo Adell came to the dish with the bases loaded and a tie ballgame with the chance to walk it off.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
  • This might be their best chance to win in the next few seasons.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of chance
Verb
  • Both Kroupi and Alvarez flit between centre-forward and second-striker roles during matches.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • An airy, not-too-sweet vanilla like Taunt is the perfect encapsulation of a Gemini who’s always flitting from one topic of interest to the next.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026
Definition of flit
Verb
  • Maybe the manager didn’t feel like flapping their arms to dry them, seeing as how the cookline handwash sink didn’t have paper towels or a blower.
    — David J. Neal July 24, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Generally, to be considered autistic, a person must have exhibited social difficulties and repetitive behaviors—such as hand-flapping and spinning—from before the age of 5.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of flap
Noun
  • Denver Post via Getty Images On the night of July 31st, 1976, Colorado's monsoon season unleashed a torrential burst of rain from a nearly stationary thunderstorms across the Big Thompson Canyon between Estes Park and Loveland.
    — Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The year the housing bubble burst, 860k American properties were repossessed.
    — HubSpot, HubSpot, 31 July 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • The trade seems like a worthy gamble considering Dorofeyev’s age and critically important skill.
    — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • For a republic that lived on trade, the gamble was a huge risk.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026
Definition of gamble
Verb
  • The Falcons’ second-year safety watched the snap, darted into the backfield and nabbed receiver Zachariah Branch on an end-around.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
  • The Barcelona forward is a different option to Solanke with his ability in tight spaces and desire to stretch the defensive line with darting runs in-behind.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of dart
Noun
  • That microscopic shift alters the laser beams ever so slightly, producing a tiny flicker of light that alerts scientists to a distant cosmic event.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 25 July 2026
  • Since then, there were brief flickers from the likes of Paul Robinson or Rob Green, but there was a natural ceiling as to whom Leeds fielded as their goalkeeper when outside the top division of English football.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of flicker

Browse Nearby Words

flutists
flutter
fluttered
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Cite this Entry

“Flutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flutter. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flutter

Nglish: Translation of flutter for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flutter

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