flirt 1 of 4

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

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flirt

2 of 4

verb (1)

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flirt (with)

3 of 4

verb (2)

as in to woo
to act so as to make (something) more likely you're flirting with death by driving so recklessly

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flirtation

4 of 4

noun (2)

as in flirtatiousness
the attitude or behavior of one who insincerely courts the amorous attentions of others somehow got the bizarre notion that flirtation was appropriate during a job interview

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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
Sincere flirts prioritize emotional bonds over physical attraction, using self-disclosure and high quality listening, which fosters perceptions of care and closeness. Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 In a funny throwback to the series’ roots, Bridget’s former boss and lover, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), previously presumed dead in a plane crash but now very much alive, is back as a dear friend, albeit still an outrageous flirt. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
The selloff continued at open on Monday, with the index falling another 4% in early trading and even flirting with bear market territory — defined as a 20% decline from recent highs. Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025 Many White Lotus fans got an increasingly queasy feeling watching the siblings flirt with the boundaries of what is appropriate throughout the first half of Season 3. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flirt

Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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