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

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
  • Castmembers Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn and John Ross Bowie took the stage at CCXP Mexico City to tease their project that combines comedy with sci-fi and is set to begin streaming on HBO Max in July.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Creator Bruce Miller was more than happy to tease what’s to come this week in episode 6, while on stage at the Deadline Contenders TV panel.
    Amanda Champagne-Meadows, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Those who aren’t taking over the whole place and enjoy more of a scene can flit over in the island’s speedboat to neighboring Hurawalhi, with its buzzy bar, big gym, and underwater restaurant.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Summer signifies les grandes vacances, when the French take off parts of July and the entire month of August to flit to their country homes or the coast.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 26 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
  • Penguins darted beneath us, marine iguanas grazed on algae, and sea lions twirled playfully in the water.
    David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
  • From corners, Bromley pack the six-yard box, with multiple players darting towards its centre.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Lauren Weisberger published the novel in 2003 after serving as Anna Wintour's personal assistant at Vogue for a year, and the roman à clef fooled no one—least of all anyone who'd ever ridden the elevator at 4 Times Square and emerged spiritually altered.
    Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The Angels weren’t fooled by his cutter and slurve.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 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
  • 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
  • Meek lives with her dad, Smooch (Will Cobbs), a former Black Panther who now runs a roller rink, and her not-to-be-trifled-with grandma, Puddin (Lizan Mitchell).
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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