FLUTTER Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

flutter 1 of 2

noun

Definition of flutter

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

as in chance

chiefly British a risky undertaking most people regard the lottery as a harmless flutter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sure thing

flutter

2 of 2

verb

ˈflə-tər

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

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

There’s even a flicker setting that emulates the dreamy flutter of a real flame. — Gear Team, Wired News, 16 June 2026 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

Verb

Some people feel a racing heartbeat or fluttering in their chest. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The postgame image of Brees holding his then-1-year-old first child, Baylen, as both grasped at fluttering confetti, is iconic in New Orleans. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flutter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flutter

Noun

The Miami Herald spoke with four Cubans and one Brazilian man who were sent as part of a flurry of deportation flights across Africa in August.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Ahead of the official start of the US Open, a flurry of fetes took place across New York City.

— Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of flurry

Noun

Below, find last-chance deals on summer sandals, fall-ready booties, ultra-cute ballet flats, and more for up to 79 percent off.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
The chances of flash flooding within 25 miles of any location in Jefferson and Hardin counties had increased to a moderate risk of 40% to 69%, Jones said.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of chance

Verb

Behold the plight of the Ryan Murphy character, cursed to behave nonsensically and flit wildly from plotline to plotline based on the writer’s whims.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
City juggled negotiations with Gakpo and Ndiaye in the past seven days, enabling them to flit between the two depending on who was most desired or, in the event, most realistic.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of flit

Verb

Above the dancers flapped a ring of American flags, each representing a military veteran from the community who had passed away.

— Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Thanks in part to a National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowship, Drew explored several designs for flying and became interested in creating robots that flap their wings in a way similar to real-life creatures.

— Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of flap

Noun

These are short, all-out bursts of exercise performed at an intensity higher than your maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max).

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Inflation eased in June and July, but a burst of on-again, off-again fighting in recent weeks caused crude prices to rise again.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of burst

Verb

Nix darted to his right at the snap as Harvey ran a flat route toward the front pylon.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
In no particular order, Elsinore darts in and out of various phases of Charleson’s life during this period, but Stone manages the tonal balance expertly.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of dart

Noun

As anybody who has been camping knows, the flicker of bright flames against the darkness can be as much a visual distraction as a point of focus.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
While sections pertaining to the house itself are both gripping and eerie (rooms flood, tiles rearrange, visions flicker), the real terror comes from human history.

— Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of flicker

Browse Nearby Words

flutists

flutter

fluttered

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Style

“Flutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flutter. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of flutter

noun

verb

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