1
as in darting
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 flapping
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 fluttering
Leaf-peeping season has arrived in the Northeast and beyond, but weeks of drought have muted this year’s autumn colors, and sent leaves fluttering to the ground earlier than usual.
—
Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
The Chinese national flag fluttering with the Lujiazui Financial District in the background.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Longer pieces reached the tops of her cheekbones, fluttering out like wings.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
Coomes has seen unexplained orbs fluttering in upstairs offices on the security cameras.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
The Chinese national flag fluttering with the Lujiazui Financial District in the background.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Longer pieces reached the tops of her cheekbones, fluttering out like wings.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
Coomes has seen unexplained orbs fluttering in upstairs offices on the security cameras.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluttering
Verb
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Following a Keller punt, Trinity used six rushing plays to cover 79 yards with Jayden Hollins darting up the middle from 34 yards out to give the Trojans their first lead at 13-9 early in the second period.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Oct. 2025
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Mischief in the mind of Cole Martin, the defensive back, moonlighted as a magician and snatched the direct snap before darting through a crease and churning ahead for a trick of a first down.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But its appeal can’t be divorced from the romance of its history, which properly began in the 19th century when English polo players began wearing oxford shirts as their preferred uniform, complete with collars that buttoned against the body to prevent their points from flapping in the wind.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
6 Oct. 2025
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Above it all, flapping in the wind, there’s the stars and stripes, that latecomer flag to native nations.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The spaces are smaller, with lower benches, and the older players, flitting between dressing rooms for U14s and U12s, have had to take their belongings home each day rather than leave them in lockers due to the carousel of teams moving in and out.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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When Bruce began touring and selling out arenas, Adele became famous for dancing with her son on stage—including at 90 years old, during a show in 2016.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Social media detectives speculated the NBA player and artist were dating back in July when they were spotted dancing together at a nightclub in Cabo for GloRilla’s 26th birthday.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While a wagging dog’s tail might indicate excitement or friendliness, a flicking cat’s tail can signal irritation.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
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Only the paintings bore witness to her intense, solitary writing sessions, conducted in the studio by night, Stein flicking the pages of her notebooks with hardly a pause, until dawn birdsong disturbed her concentration.—
Francesca Wade,
Air Mail,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fluttering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluttering. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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