Thesaurus results for FLING

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of fling next

as in spree

a time or instance of carefree fun most families spend Labor Day weekend having one last summer fling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something take a fling at waterskiing and see how it goes

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in affaire

a brief romantic relationship an ill-advised fling with a coworker

Synonyms & Similar Words

fling

2 of 2

verb

ˈfliŋ

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm flinging rocks into the pond just for the fun of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples of fling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Writer and director Guy Guido plans to film a biopic based on William Bast’s 2006 memoir, Surviving James Dean, about Bast’s fling with the actor, after acquiring its rights, according to The Hollywood Reporter. —

Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2024 Yasmin’s last fling before accepting her fate as the future Lady Muck? IndieWire asked the creators Kondrad Kay and Mickey Down, who co-directed the episode, and actress Marisa Abela. —

Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2024

Verb

Afterward, Mullis flung the car seat and Alijah's body toward the other side of the seawall to get rid of all the evidence. —

Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024 For a decently hefty asteroid, one that is a few hundred meters wide, that material isn’t flung away fast enough to escape entirely. —

Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fling

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fling. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 20 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

intransigent

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of fling

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Examples of fling in a Sentence

Thesaurus Entries Near fling

Cite this Entry