1
as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
a lonely butterfly fluttering across the lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fluttering
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
Soft amber light illuminates gold jewelry, glossy lips, and brightly fabrics fluttering in the ocean breeze.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
In these clips, the screen judders and blurs, the lights fluttering in a mad blitz, as if this person’s aura can overwhelm the time-space continuum.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
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
Soft amber light illuminates gold jewelry, glossy lips, and brightly fabrics fluttering in the ocean breeze.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
In these clips, the screen judders and blurs, the lights fluttering in a mad blitz, as if this person’s aura can overwhelm the time-space continuum.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluttering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluttering
Verb
-
The Meta boss appeared in a dark suit and gray tie, his signature chestnut curls slightly mussed, darting occasional nervous looks at the jury and the 20-year-old plaintiff, who sat in the courtroom gallery.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Helicopter footage showed the man darting out from the wrecked Charger in a black T-shirt and white shorts.—
Jacob Beltran,
San Antonio Express-News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Scheffler trailed by two strokes before unleashing a 6-iron on his 18th-hole approach, leaving just 2 feet, 7 inches for an eagle putt that was slightly complicated by wind gusts flapping his navy pants.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Here’s what to do to get rid of pesky moths flitting around indoors.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Men have been doing it for decades, flitting between the low-brow and the high-brow without losing any of their Serious Actor sheen in the process.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To mark the third anniversary of his death, Holker in December shared clips of the pair dancing together and photos of them with their children.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Whether at Artistic Edge Dance Centre in Hartland or on a competition stage, Jay Ramos-Rivera is constantly dancing.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Alijah Arenas switched between his forehand shot and backhand, flicking the plastic ball over the net to his opponent, former NBA star Brandon Jennings.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
20 Jan. 2026
-
While the horses were flicking sand like fireworks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluttering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluttering. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
