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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of flirtation
The yarns of Joe Turner interweave gradually, everyday chit-chat, bargaining, and flirtation interlocking over time with threads of mysticism — both the ghosts of a brutal history and the ancestral spirits that stand protective and defiant like a phalanx of angels with shining swords.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
Just know that secret crushes, behind-the-scenes flirtations and late-night conversations could steal your attention during this time.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
After the flirtation and its consummation, David beats a hasty (and unsurprising) retreat.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
In a weird form of Shakespearean locker-room talk, the two josh each other about women; H is involved with Mina, while the Rude Boy renews his flirtation with Ophelia.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Now, some critics and supporters of the agency suggest that last year’s flirtations with environmental deregulation were just a warm-up act to what’s happening this year.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Despite some gestures at Austin exploring his half-Korean heritage through a flirtation with Park’s assistant Eunice (Seoyeon Jang), the subplot is never smoothly incorporated.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The journalist interviewing Stephen in the future has his own flirtations with his mermaid editor.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
The Nuggets’ flirtation with defense.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
Just know that secret crushes, behind-the-scenes flirtations and late-night conversations could steal your attention during this time.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
After the flirtation and its consummation, David beats a hasty (and unsurprising) retreat.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
In a weird form of Shakespearean locker-room talk, the two josh each other about women; H is involved with Mina, while the Rude Boy renews his flirtation with Ophelia.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Now, some critics and supporters of the agency suggest that last year’s flirtations with environmental deregulation were just a warm-up act to what’s happening this year.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Despite some gestures at Austin exploring his half-Korean heritage through a flirtation with Park’s assistant Eunice (Seoyeon Jang), the subplot is never smoothly incorporated.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The journalist interviewing Stephen in the future has his own flirtations with his mermaid editor.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
The Nuggets’ flirtation with defense.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirtation
Noun
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Evocative animation, with subdued blue hues and soft lighting, conveys the flirtatiousness of their rapid connection in a scene where the two swim together in a pool at night.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The three-inch heels that the women wear when performing the dance are visible at the bottom of the skirt—a demure bit of coquetry.—
Fernanda Pérez Sánchez,
Vogue,
8 Aug. 2022
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In other words, the most dizzying and most consequential storyline of Michigan’s offseason — Harbaugh’s coquetry with the Minnesota Vikings notwithstanding — is going to linger a while longer.—
Michael Cohen,
Detroit Free Press,
27 July 2022
Noun
-
There is her coyness about her future plans, and her own recent memoir.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
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The Hunting Wives strips away any coyness about sexuality in the first three minutes of episode one.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
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That single play — driving through the offensive line, knocking the ball loose, and creating a turnover — became one of the defining moments of the game.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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James has handled the majority of the play-making responsibilities, had eight turnovers in each of the last two games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flirtation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirtation. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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