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
The sudden movement sends the birds fluttering away from you, to watch and wait.
—
Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluttering
Verb
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Like a vibrantly hued snake darting down the narrow branch of a tree, the collective of high-performance automobiles rapidly navigates the narrow, serpentine artery along the Northeastern Italian coast, a quicksilver-like tracing of the border between Il Bel Paese and Slovenia.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
11 May 2026
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And so quickly darting into the air on seats supported by scaffolding is not an easy proposition for the mind to overcome.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
And that jockey was flapping and flapping about the top of his horse, lookin’ like a chicken—elbows jumping this way an’ that, but the horse was spent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
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Smaller birds darted around, their small wings flapping rapidly.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the garden, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies can be found flitting among the dazzling blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Even in the midst of that sweltering Lagos day of thumping car music and raucous engines and the truck that honked at her for dancing too close, Miriam’s squeal stood out, a siren.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
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As the beat dropped, the friends jumped into action — tossing pink flower petals, dancing and laughing before embracing at a glam station.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
Verb
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The dragons stalk the island, flicking their huge tongues in hopes of picking up the scent of a deer, wild boar, or water buffalo — the latter two species introduced by humans — or rodents and other smaller reptiles, including baby Komodo dragons.—
Craig Stanford,
Big Think,
7 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Fluttering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluttering. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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