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
Each season traces the love story of one of the eight Bridgerton siblings, giving audiences memorable heart-fluttering and swoon-worthy moments, cementing it as one of the streamer's most popular shows.
—
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
In the front row, Pharrell sat next to Anna Wintour, fluttering his invitation like a makeshift fan.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
Inspired by the heart-fluttering love letters Sally writes to Linus, the designs feature instantly recognizable motifs that marry the Peanuts’ charm with Margesherwood’s refined silhouettes.
—Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Pugh’s dress wholly evoked dark glamour, with a high neckline, fluttering short sleeves and a hint of contrasting fabric throughout the design of the dress.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
In the front row, Pharrell sat next to Anna Wintour, fluttering his invitation like a makeshift fan.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
Inspired by the heart-fluttering love letters Sally writes to Linus, the designs feature instantly recognizable motifs that marry the Peanuts’ charm with Margesherwood’s refined silhouettes.
—Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Pugh’s dress wholly evoked dark glamour, with a high neckline, fluttering short sleeves and a hint of contrasting fabric throughout the design of the dress.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluttering
Verb
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From corners, Bromley pack the six-yard box, with multiple players darting towards its centre.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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The hungry sharks surrounded Barley in the clips, leaping out of the water and quickly darting around his Sea-Doo.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Smaller birds darted around, their small wings flapping rapidly.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
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The setting is Scotland — very exotic to Danes back in the 19th century (not to mention great for showing off a male dancer’s petit batterie beneath a flapping kilt).—
Rachel Howard,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The report said the ultra wealthy are more mobile than ever, buying homes around the world and flitting from city to city more frequently.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
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Although the Marshallese players were mostly stone-faced, their eyes—briefly flitting over to the crowd and the many cameras that followed them onto the field—belied both their excitement and anxiety at the gravity of the moment.—
Cheri Lucas Rowlands,
Longreads,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
New Year’s Eve brought music and dancing to the central square.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Moon is in your sign dancing beautifully with Mercury, Mars and Saturn, encouraging you to make sensible, practical plans for the future, especially related to travel, publishing, medicine and the law.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This could be the bookworm equivalent of jet setting, perhaps—seeking out the places we’re taken to while flicking the pages.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
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Edmundson, who’d lost MacKinnon on his first goal, atoned by receiving Kempe’s pass in the high slot and flicking a shot that clipped Wedgewood on its way into the net.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluttering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluttering. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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