FLIRT Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

flirt 1 of 2

noun

Definition of flirt next

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

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

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

Examples 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

Mercury mimics some of the Sun’s social interactions, while Venus falls for the North Node of the future and flirts with lucky Jupiter on the side. —

Jennifer Culp, Them, 12 July 2024 Song fictionalized this first encounter in Past Lives in a woozy scene where protagonist Nora (Greta Lee) flirts with future husband Arthur (John Magaro) under the fairy lights at a dreamlike residency. —

Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2024

Verb

Kate discloses this revelation to British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi) with whom she's been flirting a car bomb goes off in London killing or injuring several of Kate's colleagues and her husband, Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell). —

Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024 Liam Payne and Cheryl make their red carpet debut After months of speculation and some internet flirting, Cheryl and Payne finally made their red debut at the Global Gift Gala, where the Girls Aloud singer was honored with the Global Gift Philanthropist Award, per E! —

Jade Gomez, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flirt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirt

Noun

Brenda Chilton, 71, William Mahoney, 72, Codey Johnson, 29, and Tammy Simmons, 52, all of Carrollton, were arrested and charged with first-degree criminal abuse and first-degree wanton endangerment.

Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Perfectly Imperfect in some ways attempts to resist the wanton commodification of online personality.

Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024