as in darting
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements
bargain hunters at the flea market flitted from table to table like hummingbirds in a garden
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flitting
The spaces are smaller, with lower benches, and the older players, flitting between dressing rooms for U14s and U12s, have had to take their belongings home each day rather than leave them in lockers due to the carousel of teams moving in and out.
—
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The episode ends with a haunting overhead shot of the yard dotted with frozen clusters of kids in gray jumpsuits and the frantic staff outfitted in bright orange, flitting among them.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Expect flocks of vibrant flamingos and tiny flitting hummingbirds spreading their wings over the turquoise waters and tangles of mangroves that unfold across lagoons that stretch parallel to the sea.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
To a different namesake, all this flitting indecision might seem like disrespect.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Powerful real estate developer Frank (Tracy Letts) looks at Lee like a pesky bug that keeps flitting about, yet he’s also amused by his antics.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
The BirdWeather devices automatically register bird calls and use them to identify the species, mostly to let bird fans know what's flitting through their yards.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Stop flitting around and stop straddling strategies by making the plan that becomes your default.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Even in her 90s, her easily flitting vocals astounded, bouncing from deep valleys to breathy peaks, and, like the best jazz, mimicking the volatility and joy of the human spirit.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The episode ends with a haunting overhead shot of the yard dotted with frozen clusters of kids in gray jumpsuits and the frantic staff outfitted in bright orange, flitting among them.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Expect flocks of vibrant flamingos and tiny flitting hummingbirds spreading their wings over the turquoise waters and tangles of mangroves that unfold across lagoons that stretch parallel to the sea.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
To a different namesake, all this flitting indecision might seem like disrespect.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Powerful real estate developer Frank (Tracy Letts) looks at Lee like a pesky bug that keeps flitting about, yet he’s also amused by his antics.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
The BirdWeather devices automatically register bird calls and use them to identify the species, mostly to let bird fans know what's flitting through their yards.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Stop flitting around and stop straddling strategies by making the plan that becomes your default.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Even in her 90s, her easily flitting vocals astounded, bouncing from deep valleys to breathy peaks, and, like the best jazz, mimicking the volatility and joy of the human spirit.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flitting
Verb
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Following a Keller punt, Trinity used six rushing plays to cover 79 yards with Jayden Hollins darting up the middle from 34 yards out to give the Trojans their first lead at 13-9 early in the second period.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Oct. 2025
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Mischief in the mind of Cole Martin, the defensive back, moonlighted as a magician and snatched the direct snap before darting through a crease and churning ahead for a trick of a first down.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Bolas spider creates a silk lasso to catch fluttering moths.—
Kate Siber,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
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On my most recent visit—December 2024—the foliage was just past its peak, with some bare trees and lots of fluttering yellow leaves.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When Bruce began touring and selling out arenas, Adele became famous for dancing with her son on stage—including at 90 years old, during a show in 2016.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Social media detectives speculated the NBA player and artist were dating back in July when they were spotted dancing together at a nightclub in Cabo for GloRilla’s 26th birthday.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flitting. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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