coquettish

Definition of coquettishnext
as in kittenish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest an 18th-century painting of a coquettish maiden dallying with a young moonstruck gallant

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 coquettish The hero, or antihero, of the story is Ichabod Crane, a rather ridiculous-looking schoolmaster who has set his cap for Katrina Van Tassel, the beautiful, coquettish daughter of a wealthy Dutch farmer. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026 Both of the designers’ dogs nonetheless feature front and center in the campaign imagery for Etsy’s new Susan Alexandra x Rachel Antonoff storefront, modeling the coquettish collars and darling headcoverings. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026 Coquette Prints The girliest among us will jump for joy at this coquettish set. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 With sheer fabrics, lightweight materials, and vintage touches, Bella Hadid succumbed to the most coquettish piece of the moment. — Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 31 May 2026 The desire for mental stimulation, variety and excitement is undeniable, but beneath all of the coquettish energy, something vulnerable is also starting to unfold. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026 The intelligence official, who helps train America’s newest generation of overseas intelligence officers, said these pretend tourists feign a lack of English, adopt a coquettish manner and play dumb to probe the area’s perimeter and identify its weak and strong points. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026 Simply brushing them out of your eyes can feel like a coquettish, kittenish gesture! — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coquettish
Adjective
  • Simply brushing them out of your eyes can feel like a coquettish, kittenish gesture!
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Seductively kittenish, Gardner lives up to her profane reputation.
    — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2023
Adjective
  • Harbaugh was coy about how much Nabers did at practice once the viewing period closed.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • M’Benga’s a bit coy, telling Kirk that some believed Reeger was promoted to get him off the bridge of a ship.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Bruno and Drake Confront Each Other As the flirtatious energy between Karol and Bruno and Karol and Drake continues to heat up and sparks dating rumors, both men have made their interest clear.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Older episodes, including ones with Damson Idris, Sabrina Carpenter, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, and that flirtatious Andrew Garfield interview, will also be available to stream on Netflix.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Sofia the First boasts a princess who is not demure, but instead loves adventure and stands up for what’s right.
    — Taylor Grothe, Parents, 4 July 2026
  • Despite the actress’s desire for something more demure, the dress itself was actually quite ornate.
    — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Coquettish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coquettish. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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