darted

past tense of dart
as in flitted
to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements the housefly darted about the room until it found an open window and flew out

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 darted Late in the second period, freshman Emma Yokoi avoided a flag pull on a short, fourth-and-1 reception and darted 21 yards for a touchdown to push Newport Harbor’s lead to 13-0. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026 Agustin Ojeda tapped a pass to Nicolas Fernandez near the right sideline and darted toward the end line on the give-and-go. CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 Swallows—the country's most beloved and recognizable birds—darted past intermittently, a subtle but very real reminder of our location on this special stretch of the Algarve. Megan Wilkes, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 Smith gave Capers a shot of morphine and then darted away to treat the other Marines. Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 The Vikings defensive utility piece darted through on a blitz for a tackle for loss on a Giants’ shotgun run in the first quarter. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2026 Bijan Robinson took a handoff, darted to the right side and, in a game setting, may have taken a big hit. Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Parents lingered at the waterline, kids darted in and out of the shallows, more confident swimmers fanned out into deeper water and others settled up the sand with a beach read in hand. Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Hamilton was on course for a record-extending 105th pole position, and first in a full grand prix since Hungary in 2023, before Norris darted through to take it away. ABC News, 25 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darted
Verb
  • By the front door, a hummingbird repeatedly flitted to the tubular magenta blooms of the Salvia spathacea.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Spanish, who had at first just flitted along the coast in their galleons, had begun marching inland and overland from Mexico with crosses and soldiers and soldiers’ families.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • All around them, guests smiled and laughed as children screamed with excitement and giggled each time a butterfly fluttered close.
    Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Young people fluttered about, wearing custom white T-shirts emblazoned with the festival’s retro cartoon-style poster art.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • The packed crowd danced in unison with the song’s signature moves.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Gaultier and Valentino passed through town, while Grace Jones danced at Remezzo.
    Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Near the left corner of the 6-yard box, Pereyra turned and flicked a shot inside the back post.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The toads had gone rogue, consuming native frogs, birds, insects, small marsupials, even Ping-Pong balls and cigarette butts flicked toward them at pubs—almost everything except the swarms of sugarcane beetles they had been imported to feed on.
    Kimon de Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • As Hodges scurried about in a panic, Devenanzio kept his game face on and won by a mile.
    Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Vaquer took out Rodriguez and Perez in the process before the trio scurried away.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Darted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darted. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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