flirt 1 of 2

noun

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

ˈflərt How to pronounce flirt (audio)
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
Fire up the flirt pole Cats have teaser wands, dogs have flirt poles. —Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 White breaks down where to meet men based on four different flirt styles. —Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Kelce has flirted with retirement the past two offseasons, but two straight disappointing finishes for the Chiefs may have played a role in his decision to come back one last time this fall. —Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026 The june bug lands on the floor after flirting a while with the dining room lamp. —María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt
  1. wanton
  2. tease
  3. flit
  4. toy
  5. dart
  6. fool
  7. flutter
  8. trifle
Noun
  • His characters enjoy casual conversation but don’t brook wanton confession.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The additional murder charge, filed Friday, requires proving Sahil acted with wanton disregard for others and knowingly engaged in high-risk behavior.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of wanton
Verb
  • The actors teased their big comeback via social media.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2026
  • At the 2024 Grammys, Beyoncé teased her eighth studio album with a tip of her cowboy hat as the two struck a pose at their table.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of tease
Verb
  • Spring's warmth is settling in across southern Michigan, and hummingbirds will soon be flitting about the state.
    — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • On the waterfront, saffron finches flit between yellow shutters and almond trees.
    — Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of flit
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
Definition of toy
Verb
  • Stop by the hummingbird garden, where 14 species of petite, fairylike birds dart from plant to plant, sipping nectar from native blooms.
    — Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
  • There was the usual assemblage of male and female Anna’s and just a couple of the Allen’s darting out occasionally from the sanctuary of the nearby tree to drink nectar from the hanging feeders.
    — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of dart
Verb
  • Don't let some cloudy skies fool you.
    — Brian Smith, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026
  • But don’t let its stillness in the videos fool you.
    — Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of fool
Verb
  • As Ember brushed past to turn on the lamp, one of the sheets came unstuck and fluttered out into the hallway, caught in her slight draft.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Patrick Kane took a shot from the point that fluttered through traffic and bounced off Compher, who was parked at the goalpost.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of flutter
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
Definition of trifle

Phrases Containing flirt

Browse Nearby Words

flips (out)
flirt
flirtation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flirt. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of flirt for Spanish Speakers

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