1
as in darted
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
a lonely butterfly fluttering across the lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flapped
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
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Recent Examples of fluttered
The clergy made a full lap around the field to make sure all the angles were covered, including the end where Loop's very makeable kick fluttered wide.
—
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Almost 35 years later, the fight that started before that single envelope fluttered into his cell is not over.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Around her, leaves fluttered in the autumn breeze, a verdant array that suggested the Colorado might be flowing in its channel nearby.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
The ball fluttered into the hands of end Ashton Gillotte, who had dropped back in coverage.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Dec. 2025
Trailing by multiple goals for the first time in November, the Wild finally broke through in the final seconds of the period when a Faber shot from the blue line deflected off a Chicago player and fluttered through the air, off the post and in.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
Packers kicker Brandon McManus attempted a last-second, 64-yard field goal that fluttered and fell nowhere close.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Wings fluttered, tutus twirled and butterfly clips bobbed atop tiny heads as tiny hands, stained with chalk, turned the worn road into a living storybook.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
The president’s guests — which included top members of his administration, MAGA allies and big-time political donors — noshed on hors d’oeuvres and downed exotic cocktails while jazz music blared and burlesque dancers fluttered their fans.
—Garrett Haake, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Almost 35 years later, the fight that started before that single envelope fluttered into his cell is not over.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Around her, leaves fluttered in the autumn breeze, a verdant array that suggested the Colorado might be flowing in its channel nearby.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
The ball fluttered into the hands of end Ashton Gillotte, who had dropped back in coverage.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Dec. 2025
Trailing by multiple goals for the first time in November, the Wild finally broke through in the final seconds of the period when a Faber shot from the blue line deflected off a Chicago player and fluttered through the air, off the post and in.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
Packers kicker Brandon McManus attempted a last-second, 64-yard field goal that fluttered and fell nowhere close.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Wings fluttered, tutus twirled and butterfly clips bobbed atop tiny heads as tiny hands, stained with chalk, turned the worn road into a living storybook.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
The president’s guests — which included top members of his administration, MAGA allies and big-time political donors — noshed on hors d’oeuvres and downed exotic cocktails while jazz music blared and burlesque dancers fluttered their fans.
—Garrett Haake, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluttered
Verb
-
The Hoosiers went for it, and Mendoza darted through traffic for the first down with a quarterback draw before pinballing off tacklers and lunging past the goal line for the touchdown and a 24-14 lead.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The Broncos could hardly stop running back James Cook with a head of steam, as Cook darted up wide-open holes time and again in a 24-carry, 117-yard performance.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But Chelsea — and Garnacho — responded again, the Argentina international reducing the arrears again after some Kepa had flapped at a cross.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
A little way down the bank, a hoatzin flapped awkwardly in dense foliage.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Valentino and his longtime partner Giancarlo Giammetti flitted among their homes — which also included places in New York, London, Rome, Capri and Gstaad, Switzerland — traveling with their pack of pugs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
-
On the 10-mile drive to the school, Gussick’s mind flitted to every possible scenario.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Ever since the president danced with the Village People during last year’s inauguration weekend, the Trumpian right has been disorienting America with this kind of spectacle.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
-
As the women built a thrumming rhythm from their drums and began to chant while others danced, the Hula Halau ‘O Nalua and ‘Ote’a ‘Api School of Polynesian Dance seemed to teleport from the interior of an industrial park in Fremont to a Hawaiian island.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The sixth-tier side doubled their advantage shortly after the hour mark as a deflected effort fell into the path of Buckley-Ricketts, who adjusted his body and flicked past goalkeeper Walter Benitez.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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The suspect poured gasoline on the girls as well as both officers, flicked a lighter and set the room ablaze.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluttered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluttered. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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