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fling

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fling distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fling are cast, hurl, pitch, sling, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When would cast be a good substitute for fling?

The words cast and fling can be used in similar contexts, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When can hurl be used instead of fling?

Although the words hurl and fling have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

Where would pitch be a reasonable alternative to fling?

The meanings of pitch and fling largely overlap; however, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When is sling a more appropriate choice than fling?

While in some cases nearly identical to fling, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

In what contexts can throw take the place of fling?

The synonyms throw and fling are sometimes interchangeable, but throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

When might toss be a better fit than fling?

While the synonyms toss and fling are close in meaning, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

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 fling
Noun
Following Carrie's breakup with Aiden Shaw (John Corbett), the two had a brief fling before Duncan returned to London. Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025 And all signs are pointing back to the church, though Honey gets a bit distracted with a new fling in Aubrey Plaza’s lustful cop MG Falcone and some family drama with her wayward niece Corinne (Talia Ryder). Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
His second-best was flinging the ball up and hoping for a pass interference call, which the Buffs (and refs) obliged three times on the Cowboys’ first four third-down tries. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025 Astronomers have discovered a tiny, ghostly galaxy in a remote corner of the universe, likely a cosmic castaway flung from its original galactic group billions of years ago and left to wander in near-total isolation. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fling
Noun
  • Other agencies affected by the DOGE firing spree have also had to reverse course and rehire workers.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Target has started its seasonal hiring spree.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The big story Immigration anxieties and a challenging job market have sparked an online backlash over China's latest attempt at attracting global talent — a new visa program announced in August.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • China has landed on the Red Planet once, sticking the landing on its first attempt in 2021, setting the Zhurong rover down successfully in southern Utopia Planitia as part of the Tianwen 1 mission.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Mahomes also spoke about the Chiefs’ win, which was by far the best Kansas City has looked this season and marked the first time since 2023 that Mahomes threw four touchdowns in a game.
    Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • González had sentenced four young men to prison for throwing Molotov cocktails at a police chief’s vehicle and at an intelligence officer’s house in the town of Encrucijada, where Ferrer’s family lives.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • During Week 1, Irwin and his partner Witney Carson charmed audiences with their jive, which was both a high-energy romp and a sweet homage to the family's outdoorsman history.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Wilson's Aces continue their romp through the WNBA playoffs with a semifinal matchup that begins Sunday against the Indiana Fever.
    Russell Lewis, NPR, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Just recruit some stranger from the street to give it a try, but Gina?
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
  • This led to a slurry of subsequent digs, culminating in Rose’s recent assertion that the Americans are a bunch of try-hards.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Louise had an affair with a married man, resulting in the birth of Burnett’s half sister, Antonia Christine, and afterward fell into a deep depression and began drinking heavily, too.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Tabloids ran countless stories during Diana’s lifetime claiming that Major James Hewitt — with whom Diana began an affair in the years after Harry was born — was her youngest son’s father because both Hewitt and the young prince had red hair.
    Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Insults were hurled at McIlroy with such ferocity that his playing partner Shane Lowry had to be held back from going over the ropes to get at the fans.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
  • During the speech, however, Kemp periodically deviated from building up Astra to hurling insults at several of his competitors in the launch industry.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Lees were up with the lark to chat about the major first-look contract with the Royal Court, which is something to cheer about at a time when the arts are cash-strapped and under attack, and under pressure due to economic and political forces.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
  • But no matter who did what, Solo is a pretty entertaining, sometimes inspired lark that imagines how Han Solo (a really quite fine Alden Ehrenreich) met Chewbacca and Lando.
    Will Leitch, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fling. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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