FLIRTING Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

flirting

verb

present participle of flirt

as in teasing

to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun the servers at that restaurant flirt with all the customers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in darting

to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements lazily watched the butterflies flirting among the wildflowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 flirting There’s no real conflict at the table, aside from Kyle continuing to harp on Gizelle lightly flirting with Mauricio on RHOP last season. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026 This is excellent energy for captions, pitches, texts, brainstorming, flirting, or turning a quick idea into something shareable. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 After two seasons of flirting and near-misses, the two wound up having a happy ending together in the Christmas special finale. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026 Affection, physical touch, flirting and playfulness become less frequent, replaced by stress, conflict and growing resentment. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Further north in Chico and Redding, several locations will again be flirting with 110. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The pair remained matched up until the finale episode when Jowsey admitted to flirting and kissing their costar, Melinda Melrose, behind Vestal’s back. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Nikki Rodriguez’s character might still technically be dating Alex, but that isn’t stopping her from flirting with his brother after confessing her love in the season 2 finale. — Kat Pettibone, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026 Or the dance fighting and Ruby Roundhouse’s (Karen Gillan)/Martha’s (Morgan Turner) hilariously inept attempts at flirting? — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flirting

Verb

The film also shows Reagan confidently teasing his negotiating team about being Democrats, which was probably done so that the movie could make the summit seem like a bipartisan effort.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Pasquarosa began teasing her relationship with Fiore in late February by posting photos and videos with him on social media.

— Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of teasing

Verb

Other textiles in the house were found in India, Egypt, and Kuwait, where Consuelo bought a Bedouin tent, soon to be installed among the fig, persimmon, and pomegranate trees—and the darting lizards—in the gardens.

— Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026
This conversation was taking place in Jaya Aunty’s living room, and Nidhi’s eyes kept darting about.

— Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of darting

Verb

The formula is one of those shampoos formulated for a really great wash—delivering moisture and smoothing without toying too far into volumizing, densifying, or hair growth.

— Ellie Davis, Vogue, 25 June 2026
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

Definition of toying

Verb

Upon further review of the camera footage, Sam Gough, a park supervisor for the Incline Village General Improvement District, said the light appeared to be just a bug flitting across the lens.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
An airy, not-too-sweet vanilla like Taunt is the perfect encapsulation of a Gemini who’s always flitting from one topic of interest to the next.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026

Definition of flitting

Verb

Anybody hoping that a Netanyahu defeat in October and the emergence of a less controversial successor will reset the table is likely fooling themselves.

— Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Throughout all the commotion, Romelu Lukaku acted as decoy, holding on to the ball, fooling everyone, including the TV producer, who pulled up a graphic showing his recent penalty record.

— Geir Jordet, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of fooling

Verb

But Guthrie wasn’t kidding, slipping into a yellow gingham dress before joining her co-hosts on the Today Show Plaza to greet visitors.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Just kidding, but seeing Angela’s team sweep Shamea’s at the Bailey Bowl basketball tournament was almost as satisfying as knowing Charles got to witness his former team’s historic win in person.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 22 June 2026