fling 1 of 2

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
Meanwhile, Jeremiah is miserable, has nowhere to live, and is trying to find meaning through meaningless flings. Olivia Petter, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025 During the show, Taylor receives evidence from Dakota's former fling Jenna, who reveals text messages proving Dakota had lied about their relationship. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Hands are wrung together or flung wide. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for fling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fling
Noun
  • Advertisement In the late 2000s, as the climate warmed further, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad loosened restrictions on well drilling and started another dam building spree.
    Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • When a chilling new spree of murders happens 37 years later, an older Georgia (Heather Mitchell) is pulled back into the nightmare.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Oct. 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
  • Lawrence threw a long pass that went off the hands of Jaguars receiver Tim Patrick, then deflected off Chiefs defensive back Trent McDuffie.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Pinned inside their own 20-yard line, Lawrence threw a short pass intended for receiver Parker Washington.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The movie follows Modigliani in Paris in 1916, and a trailer for the film released back in October 2024 teases a chaotic romp through France's capital.
    Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Target the Tri-Lakes Loop, an 11-mile romp through the heart of Mount Desert that skirts the edges of Eagle Lake, Bubble Lake, and Jordan Lake.
    Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Pathak said this floor also houses UHealth’s largest cancer support care and survivorship resource center, which offers cancer patients a variety of services, including acupuncture, massage, wig try-ons and psychology services.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Even if Young made a good throw, McMillan would have been short of the first-down marker and Fitzgerald would have been left with about a 53-yard try.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Maybe so—and a coming wave of insider stories attesting to Weiss’s difficulties in asserting her authority strikes me as the most inevitable outcome of this affair.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Ministers appointed just the previous night found themselves in the bizarre situation of becoming caretaker ministers — kept in place only to manage day-to-day affairs until a new government is formed — before some of them had even been formally installed in office.
    , FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Jupiter’s gravitational pull also hurls enormous rocks around within the asteroid belt.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Mullen was 29-6 before Marco Wilson hurled a cleat and 5-9 after it.
    Matt Baker, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At that rummage-y point several years ago, Ben Stiller had no idea where his filmic lark would lead.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The famed journalist's literary lark quickly gained currency, being reprinted and taken as the truth.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fling. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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