coquet 1 of 2

variants or coquette
as in to flirt
to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun a group of college students coquetting with each other at the beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

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coquet

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb coquet differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coquet are dally, flirt, toy, and trifle. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When might dally be a better fit than coquet?

While in some cases nearly identical to coquet, dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

In what contexts can flirt take the place of coquet?

The words flirt and coquet can be used in similar contexts, but flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

When is toy a more appropriate choice than coquet?

While the synonyms toy and coquet are close in meaning, toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

When would trifle be a good substitute for coquet?

Although the words trifle and coquet have much in common, trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coquet
Verb
  • The index, which sits at the heart of many investors’ 401(k) accounts, has been flirting with a drop of 20% from its record set less than two months ago.
    Elaine Kurtenbach, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The market understands that Trump is way out over his skis on this, and is going to send him a message this week hammering that home (S&P flirting with bear market territory this morning).
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The supermodel amped up the coquette look with a black ribbon in her hair. 04 of 18 Camila Cabello For the Chanel Paris Fashion Week show, Camila Cabello opted for a black tweed suit with a subtle white plaid print.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • So for all the coquette girlies on a budget, LoveShackFancy brushes are the biggest no-brainer.
    Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • She is gifted with a lovely color of a lyric soprano suitable for roles in the spectrum from a lyric, lyric coloratura to a soubrette.
    Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Not only did diners want to enjoy her singing in the cabaret, no doubt many could not resist coming to see for themselves the soubrette who had inspired such fury in the late George VI.
    Olivia Williams, Town & Country, 1 June 2021
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.

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Cite this Entry

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

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