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
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 Lithgow makes Jim a foul-mouthed rebel, a reactionary against movements for non-binary and bisexual visibility, a promiscuous flirt, a narcissistic father, and a loving grandfather. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
Even during his first term, when his administration enacted a yearslong maximum pressure campaign that drove Iran’s crude oil exports down by 75%, Trump flirted with the prospect of negotiations. Daniel Depetris, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025 Justin Thomas flirted with the lead, only to find water on No. 6, bogey it and never be heard from again. Hugh Kellenberger, The Athletic, 9 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 31 Mar. 2025.

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