as in to flit
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
the birds flittered back and forth between the backyard feeder and the safety of the trees
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flitter
Our attention constantly jumps from one flittering speck to the next, and the storm of activity blocks our view of the whole sphere.
—
Oshan Jarow, Vox, 8 Jan. 2025
My eyes gleefully flittered among the many gilded furnishings, opulent light fixtures, and damask wall treatments.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024
The unexpected sight of the little orange carp flittering around in a glorified puddle was everywhere, a social-media must-post, a Walden surrounded by concrete at a corner known as the Bed-Stuy Aquarium.
—The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024
Where India Song’s Anna-Marie and her various colonial suitors move languidly and speechlessly through the chateau like ghosts, Jeanne Dielman is continually flittering between the chores of cooking, cleaning, and errand-running.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
These flittering finches are adaptable and have learned to live in cities, towns and farmland.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Apr. 2024
Western tanagers escort rafters downstream — yellow flashes flittering from juniper to juniper.
—Pete Zimowsky, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Through its evolution, the term seems to flitter between abstract and concrete.
—Leo Kim, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2023
As Francis prayed before a statue of the Madonna, nearby wildfires turned the sky smoky black and sent ash flittering down on the crowd.
—Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023
Oshan Jarow, Vox, 8 Jan. 2025
My eyes gleefully flittered among the many gilded furnishings, opulent light fixtures, and damask wall treatments.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024
The unexpected sight of the little orange carp flittering around in a glorified puddle was everywhere, a social-media must-post, a Walden surrounded by concrete at a corner known as the Bed-Stuy Aquarium.
—The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024
Where India Song’s Anna-Marie and her various colonial suitors move languidly and speechlessly through the chateau like ghosts, Jeanne Dielman is continually flittering between the chores of cooking, cleaning, and errand-running.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
These flittering finches are adaptable and have learned to live in cities, towns and farmland.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Apr. 2024
Western tanagers escort rafters downstream — yellow flashes flittering from juniper to juniper.
—Pete Zimowsky, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Through its evolution, the term seems to flitter between abstract and concrete.
—Leo Kim, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2023
As Francis prayed before a statue of the Madonna, nearby wildfires turned the sky smoky black and sent ash flittering down on the crowd.
—Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flitter
Verb
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With a plot that flits between past and present, The Notebook follows Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah’s (Ryan Gosling) love affair as told by Noah’s older self (James Garner) at a nursing home to his wife (the late, great Gena Rowlands) suffering from Alzheimer’s.—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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The other excellent actors flit in and out as nonsensical characters: Britton plays Valerie Whitesell, Mullen's former chief of staff and lover (an insult to her, to be honest; there is a 24-year age difference between the actors).—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Szoboszlai darted towards the near post to receive Mac Allister’s low delivery and swept the ball towards Salah close to the penalty spot.—
James Pearce,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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One sheep was on a mission and darted toward the guardian dogs' puppy.—
Liz O'Connell,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Jason Lloyd Evans At Harris Reed, models walked the runway fluttering exaggerated blue, gold, and jet black false eyelashes.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2025
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Lift your legs off the floor and flutter your feet.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flitter. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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