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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flitter
There might be a butterfly flittering about barren aspen trunks.
—
Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025
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
Coaches and friends flitter in and out.
—Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
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
As a result Rose flittered on the periphery of the game but was never readmitted to it.
—Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
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
Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025
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
Coaches and friends flitter in and out.
—Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
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
As a result Rose flittered on the periphery of the game but was never readmitted to it.
—Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flitter
Verb
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Those skills apparently translate fairly easily into urban environments, where Cooper’s hawks flit amid trees and concrete landscapes, stalking city pigeons and doves.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
23 May 2025
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Small miracles spare the staff Most Saturdays, Abdallah and his staff are flitting between patient rooms and laboratories, sterilizing equipment, checking on growing embryos and walking hopeful parents through the arduous process of in vitro fertilization.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
But rather than a joyful but tranquil parade down the stage during the commencement ceremony, what happened instead was a high-speed foot chase, as Al Arab sprinted across the stage, clutching his baby boy, with a university police officer darting behind him.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
22 May 2025
-
Swallows inhabit some of these bluffs, darting after insects that flutter above the water.—
Alann B. Steen,
Outdoor Life,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Swallows inhabit some of these bluffs, darting after insects that flutter above the water.—
Alann B. Steen,
Outdoor Life,
21 May 2025
-
Songbirds cried in the surrounding trees, and the girl’s heart fluttered with unspeakable sadness.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flitter. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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