flutter 1 of 2

Definition of flutternext
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
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 The dino can run, jump, flutter in the air, ground pound, swallow enemies, and throw eggs, all standard parts of his toolkit. Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 19 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
Noun
  • The agency’s swift judgement on the incidents prompted calls for impartial investigations from local officials and a flurry of protests.
    Annette Choi, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In the meantime, Silver anticipates that a flurry of one-and-done provisional arrangements will be hammered out before the new campaign tips off in October.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Residents in Congressional District 24 will get a chance to hear from candidates running to fill the seat of outgoing Congresswoman Frederica Wilson at a forum held in Little Haiti.
    Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • Having one copy of the APOE4 variant may double or triple the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, while having two copies may raise risk by tenfold or more.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The Spanish, who had at first just flitted along the coast in their galleons, had begun marching inland and overland from Mexico with crosses and soldiers and soldiers’ families.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Luna then tried to jump over Sandy to get back into the bowl of the nest, but Sandy lost her balance and flapped down to the lower branches.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 July 2026
  • The key to this dual-medium success is wing flexibility, which must be supple enough to reduce flapping amplitude underwater yet rigid enough to keep the vehicle airborne.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • Caviar is one of life’s great pleasures, delicate orbs full of rich bursts of salty, umami deliciousness.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • The latest burst of activity is tied to a twentieth anniversary edition of Kiss of Death, which arrived earlier this month.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • Always carry a physical guidebook or printed details in a waterproof bag, because relying on your phone alone is a gamble.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • There are other highlights—paintings by Géricault and Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps, a few Persian swan-neck bottles and their Tiffany glass imitations—but the gamble here is to play Gérôme and Hamdi off each other, the outsider and the insider.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • The audience — all Christians themselves — darted worried looks to one another, shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
  • Skipper and scrumhalf Lucu darted over after a strong run into contact from his hooker Lamothe and touched down on the half-hour to score France’s fourth try, securing a bonus competition point.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Every slight was a pilot light for whenever that little flame inside started to flicker and die.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 14 July 2026
  • The goggles flicker at a rate about five times faster than the average strobe light.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Flutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flutter. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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