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
Where at one time soldiers and sailors made do with fluttering flags or flashes of light to send simple messages, the modern warfighter is part of a global digital network where data rushes about like water out of a firehose and satellites act as a vital link in that network.
—
New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2025
From November to March, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve transforms into a vibrant, fluttering kingdom.
—Gaby Keiderling, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
Dreadlocked yaks were dotted around the foreground and the odd cluster of nomad tents swept by colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
The Irish and British flags, of course, made sense, fluttering on poles and in front of houses and businesses in the working-class neighborhoods where the Troubles had been most violent.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2025
From November to March, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve transforms into a vibrant, fluttering kingdom.
—Gaby Keiderling, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
Dreadlocked yaks were dotted around the foreground and the odd cluster of nomad tents swept by colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
The Irish and British flags, of course, made sense, fluttering on poles and in front of houses and businesses in the working-class neighborhoods where the Troubles had been most violent.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluttering
Verb
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Inevitably, someone ended up swinging a quilt around to mimic the great snake’s darting heads and churning coils.—
Seamus Sullivan
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Their direct running, with pace and purpose, darting into spaces, meant Liverpool were under pressure from the speed with which Palace moved the ball in transition.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While Manchester United’s Altay Bayindir (6ft 6in) was left flapping at a Declan Rice corner as Riccardo Calafiori nodded home, Raya easily dealt with similar issues later in the game, catching one delivery and punching the other well away from danger.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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These behaviors included; lifting one leg, spinning around on a perch, and flapping their wings on command (Figure 1B).—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
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Expect flocks of vibrant flamingos and tiny flitting hummingbirds spreading their wings over the turquoise waters and tangles of mangroves that unfold across lagoons that stretch parallel to the sea.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Quit dancing around the dialogue as Mercury and Chiron clash.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The clip finds Meg rocking camo pants, tan boots and a wool hat while dancing to the track in the studio.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
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While you guys had staff inside laughing, pointing and even flicking off the crowd outside.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fluttering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluttering. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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