1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
the site saw a flutter of construction last month, but nothing's happening now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chance
chiefly British
a risky undertaking
most people regard the lottery as a harmless flutter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to flit
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
a lonely butterfly fluttering across the lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flap
to move or cause to move with a striking motion
fluttered my eyelashes as I struck up a conversation with the new guy at work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 flutter
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Few have seen the man who slips through Sacramento, leaving only anguish and a flutter of parking citations in his wake.
—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Dozens of butterflies, likely variable checkerspots with hints of yellow and red on their wings, fluttered all around.
—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flutter
Noun
The art nouveau buildings of Parizska Street flutter with labels including Prada and Hermès, although more atmospheric is the historic Jewish Quarter that borders it, dating back to the 12th century.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Few have seen the man who slips through Sacramento, leaving only anguish and a flutter of parking citations in his wake.
—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Since most butterflies live a short time, fluttering between colorful flowers for a few weeks before dying, a few rare exceptions have stumped scientists.
—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Dozens of butterflies, likely variable checkerspots with hints of yellow and red on their wings, fluttered all around.
—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flutter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flutter
Noun
-
June was a frenetic month for the metro Atlanta restaurant scene, driven in part by a flurry of downtown openings timed to the beginning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
-
Trump took in tens of millions of dollars in fees from a flurry of new hotel, resort and condo deals overseas that amounts to the biggest property expansion ever in the century since the family business was founded.
Noun
-
For the best chance of seeing them, move away from city lights, lie flat on your back and look toward the southern sky near the Aquarius constellation, NASA says.
-
Now’s your chance to grab a closet’s worth of sleek, sculpting essentials, like the SpanxShape Booty Boost leggings for $44 off, and the SpanxSmooth Jersey Crewneck T-Shirt for $30 off.
Verb
-
The Spanish, who had at first just flitted along the coast in their galleons, had begun marching inland and overland from Mexico with crosses and soldiers and soldiers’ families.
-
Mosquitoes and moths flit around porch lights all night long.
Verb
-
Video from the group's livestream showed Luna flapping his wings on a branch before taking off.
-
Moist towels soothe necks, mist bottles spray short relief, hand fans flap in overdrive; motorized fans are held up to strangers at cafés, who have resorted to pouring water directly on their chests for cooling.
Noun
-
Jennifer Storms, chief marketing officer for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, said her team has carefully planned the timing of the spots to coincide with the burst of patriotism and celebration around America 250 events.
-
Used on the plate (rather than during cooking), finishing salt adds crunch, elegance and a burst of salinity.
Noun
-
The gamble shows Toronto is looking to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time.
-
This career shift, though not yet officially confirmed by Rodriguez or the UFC, represents a significant gamble.
Verb
-
This type dispenses altogether with nest-building and partnering and simply darts around squirting.
-
My eyes darted back and forth, trying to grasp the imposing silhouette in its entirety.
Noun
-
An account manager reading a flicker of doubt on a client's face.
-
These flickers included a merely steady revenue projection from chipmaker Broadcom on its most recent earnings call as well as a construction pause for a data center being built in Wyoming.
Cite this Entry
“Flutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flutter. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
