flirt 1 of 2

Definition of flirtnext
as in wanton
a person who playfully shows another amorous attention he's just a harmless flirt, so don't take him seriously

Synonyms & Similar Words

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flirt

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to tease
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun the servers at that restaurant flirt with all the customers

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to flit
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements lazily watched the butterflies flirting among the wildflowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flirt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of flirt are coquet, dally, toy, and trifle. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

When is coquet a more appropriate choice than flirt?

In some situations, the words coquet and flirt are roughly equivalent. However, coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When could dally be used to replace flirt?

The synonyms dally and flirt are sometimes interchangeable, but dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

When might toy be a better fit than flirt?

Although the words toy and flirt have much in common, toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

In what contexts can trifle take the place of flirt?

The meanings of trifle and flirt largely overlap; however, trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

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 flirt
Noun
Retrogrades aren’t meant to stall you, they’re meant to rewire you, so if your flirt game feels off or your passion projects aren’t clicking, don’t force it. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025 Fire up the flirt pole Cats have teaser wands, dogs have flirt poles. Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Public indoor smoking was banned, and, inadvertently, we were armed with a new way to flirt. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 If the arrangements flirt with cliché, then the lyrics dive straight into it. Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt
Noun
  • Additional charges included negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
    Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • His characters enjoy casual conversation but don’t brook wanton confession.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As a new filmmaker offering a new take on Leatherface more than 50 years after the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Curry Barker recently teased his plans for the reboot.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 May 2026
  • In an interview for Rolling Stone’s Future of Music series, the trio teased their evolving sound.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Over sunny instrumentation, Rhys flits back and forth between English and Welsh in what feels like a nonsensical miasma of free association.
    David Harris, SPIN, 4 May 2026
  • From there, the event planner extraordinaire flitted around to a few more spots, including MI-V1 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, and Lux, in the old Liquid location.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The age-gap romance is one that Statsky said the writers have been toying around with for quite some time.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Here, Matcha Milk toys the line between sweet and earthy, blending macadamia milk and vanilla with black tea and matcha accord.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As the first block was hoisted, Alemani darted to the railing to take a picture.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • The streaker managed to dodge several security guards, darting onto the iconic steps before being tackled and escorted off the premises.
    Alyssa Modos, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • After killing Minnesota’s first power play, the Avalanche opened the scoring when defenseman Sam Malinski scored his first career playoff goal, fooling Wallstedt with a rising wrist shot.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
  • Don’t let Will Lee’s nickname fool you.
    Mike Kaye May 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Iran’s flag before the 1979 revolution — green, white and red with a lion and a rising sun — flutters from many overhangs.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • At that moment, the sun began to shine brightly, the wind picked up and the curtain fluttered violently.
    Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But that still left the less-than-trifling matter of the second tier’s title to settle, as the teams were locked together on 97 points with one game still to play.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, that global temperature record that DiCaprio mentioned in his acceptance speech in 2016 seems almost trifling compared to what has happened since.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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