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
As the early swooning over Newsom suggests, some voters’ hearts are fluttering over the prospect of his candidacy.
—
Bret Stephens, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
In the end, the town promises a simpler life, sipping strong espressos beneath fluttering palm trees.
—Dana Sauchelli, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2026
Consisting of wispy layers that create soft movement, akin to fluttering butterfly wings, the cut is a popular option for cascading long lengths.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
With 10 minutes to spare before a rally at the intersection of 45th Street and Lamar Boulevard, at least 50 protesters were already showing up with drums, saxophones, homemade signs and fluttering American flags to protest ICE's killing of 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Bret Stephens, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
In the end, the town promises a simpler life, sipping strong espressos beneath fluttering palm trees.
—Dana Sauchelli, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2026
Consisting of wispy layers that create soft movement, akin to fluttering butterfly wings, the cut is a popular option for cascading long lengths.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
With 10 minutes to spare before a rally at the intersection of 45th Street and Lamar Boulevard, at least 50 protesters were already showing up with drums, saxophones, homemade signs and fluttering American flags to protest ICE's killing of 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluttering
Verb
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The letter writer doesn’t bother to research to see if deer birth control is in existence, but those currently in use in the United States involve darting or injecting females to trigger antibodies that prevent pregnancy.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Blennies and gobies are tiring to look at, darting every which way above.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There are giant flapping birds.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
24 Feb. 2026
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Many readers will remember the MetaFly, a remote-control robotic insect that flies by actually flapping its wings.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hammond is flitting around the festival wearing a button-up shirt embroidered with the word SWEAT.—
Madeline Leung Coleman,
Curbed,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Watch for Carolina chickadees flitting through trees.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
See the scene And while a big tent on the beach packed with people downing burgers, drinking tequila or Kim Crawford wine and dancing to a DJ with a soft spot for Bad Bunny is not exactly luxurious, the black truffle remained for this event.—
Connie Ogle
Updated February 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
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Keep them tucked in for subtle, low-light intimacy, or open them fully and get everyone dancing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The name Dekopin in Japanese refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
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In Japanese, the word refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluttering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluttering. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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