1
as in rushed
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
a flying attempt at finishing the work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed
that car was flying as it careened down the streets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in flight
travel through the air by the use of wings
had never had the slightest fear of flying
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in hovering
to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings
the Wright brothers realized mankind's age-old wish to fly
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in escaping
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
you must fly to safety immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in traveling
to proceed or move quickly
flew down the concourse to catch his flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in fleeing
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
no one in the movies ever thinks to fly from the ax murderer and immediately call the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in disappearing
to cease to be visible
the morning mist had flown, and a sparkling sea lay before us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in working
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the familiar "Because I said so!" is a reason that won't fly with most teenagers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flying
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
While visiting Santa's Village, guests are also invited to take flight in The Elf Flyer, a whimsical flying wooden shoe ride and take photos at three unique photo opportunities including the Countdown to Christmas Clock, in front of oversized holiday decor and Santa's Sleigh.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
One shopper wore theirs on an Alaskan cruise and during shorter flying days and was impressed at how well the set fit for both occasions.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
During that time, Orion will also reach its farthest distance from Earth, flying at a staggering 252,760 miles (406,778 kilometers) away from our home planet.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flying
Adjective
Despite having small brains, pterosaurs’ overall brain shape surprisingly resembled that of non-flying, small, bird-like dinosaurs (troodontids and dromaeosaurids).
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
While visiting Santa's Village, guests are also invited to take flight in The Elf Flyer, a whimsical flying wooden shoe ride and take photos at three unique photo opportunities including the Countdown to Christmas Clock, in front of oversized holiday decor and Santa's Sleigh.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
For those arriving from Fort Lauderdale, however a different flying experience.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
One shopper wore theirs on an Alaskan cruise and during shorter flying days and was impressed at how well the set fit for both occasions.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Officials this year have increased restrictions on flying drones and stiffened the penalties for their unauthorized use—including jail time.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
During that time, Orion will also reach its farthest distance from Earth, flying at a staggering 252,760 miles (406,778 kilometers) away from our home planet.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flying
Adjective
-
As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Little emphasized the need to ease property taxes in a letter accompanying his signature but criticized Moyle’s approach as rushed and overly complex.—
Mark Dee
March 25,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But those expectations have since been upended as the Iran conflict has sent shockwaves through the global economy that are unlikely to unravel anytime soon, even if the war is brought to a rapid resolution.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hurtling back toward Earth after a historic loop around the moon, Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman said naming a crater after his late wife, an idea his crewmates came up with before launch, was the most deeply profound moment of an already memorable flight.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
With Iran qualifying for the World Cup, Arad Ershad had visions of splurging on flights and tickets to attend one of the team’s upcoming first-round matches in Los Angeles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On platforms like PredictIt, traders have overwhelmingly favored Fuller, with confidence hovering near certainty levels in recent days.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
As of Tuesday, crude oil prices were hovering around $110 per barrel, according to Business Insider.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Roughly two hours after escaping through the passenger side door with some assistance, he was placed in the back of a cop car.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
High off the spirit of escaping with their ninth consecutive win, conversation in the visitor’s locker room at the Kia Center turned to the encounter LeBron James and Bronny James had with an alligator while golfing during the Florida leg of the six-game road trip.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hungarians living near the southern frontier, where Orbán made a show of building a border fence during the refugee crisis, are travelling to Croatia to buy cheap groceries.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Thursday’s game is the second of the 76ers’ three-game trip and the first game of a back-to-back, with Philadelphia traveling to play the Indiana Pacers on Friday.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The caller told dispatch workers that a white SUV was fleeing the scene.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Libya has been a main transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
All three of these signs pointed toward neutrino oscillation — neutrinos were, again, appearing and disappearing.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
-
That means researchers and everyday birdwatchers are finding species faster than new ones are disappearing from the record.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flying. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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