flitter

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

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 flitter Ringo was yellow submarines and octopus gardens, the mascot little brother, despite being the eldest Beatle, and the best at flittering above the feuds that afflicted the trio of geniuses around him. Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flitter
Verb
  • With South of Midnight, Compulsion Games (Contrast, We Happy Few) meaningfully engages with the complex history of its Deep South setting, constantly flitting between the fantastical and the real, comedy and tragedy.
    Sarah Thwaites, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
  • By flitting between the anachronistic analog aesthetic of Lumon’s Severed Floor and the contemporary world of internet and smart phones, Severance brilliantly unfolds in a setting constantly at odds with itself.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • However, Murphy was ready for Emmett, darting in and out of range, while mixing up his striking targets and techniques.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • As May approaches the eastern brown snake, the reptile darts off, crossing the pink room to slither under a desk.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Chinese national flags flutter on boats near shipping containers at the Yangshan Port outside Shanghai, China, February 7, 2025.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
  • And Mark’s eyes flutter, the sound of severance thrums, and when Mark Scout awakens, he’s accidentally fired the bolt pistol into Drummond’s neck.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flitter. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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