Thesaurus results for FLINGS

flings 1 of 2

noun

plural of fling

as in sprees

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in tries

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in affairs

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

flings

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of fling

as in throws

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

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 flings

Noun

Puppy love and summer flings abound when Tom Holland's Peter Parker goes on a European vacation to spend quality time with his crush MJ (Zendaya) and instead gets thrown into a few international incidents. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 From short-term flings to longstanding love stories, nepo babies have a way of gravitating toward one another. — Ayana Herndon, InStyle, 25 July 2026 Throughout this dense and always engrossing survey of Lean’s career in film, Thompson threads the vicissitudes of the director’s personal life, spanning six wives and various other relationships and flings. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026 Some other royal biographers believe Elizabeth also cheated, perhaps in response to Philip’s flings. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 May 2026 Peter wondered how his flings from Christopher Street might look when photographed. — Andrew Durbin, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026 This one, written by Ryan Hurd, Jaxson Free and Daniel Ross, is going to be the soundtrack for beach flings all summer long. — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2026 The haphazard plot twists itself into knots to include Jeremy Pope’s unfortunately eponymous character, before moving on to far shorter flings with equally monotonous cast members. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026 Skarsgård played one of Donna’s former flings, Bill, in both films. — Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026

Verb

Its highly specialized strategy likely evolved to take advantage of the ant’s natural aggression and then overcome its defenses; the slingshot mechanism flings the ant from the foraging trail, reducing the risk that the spider will be swarmed by other workers, the researchers hypothesized. — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 That pressure flings some of the hot gas outward in the form of a wind. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 June 2026 Knowing that there's no escape, Laurie makes her way to the roof of her home, ties a rope around her neck, and flings herself off the ledge, dying instantly. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026 All that’s left is a frantic kickout to Embiid, which flings wide left. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Miranda flings furs across desks like royal decrees. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026 In Pretty Woman, a waiter (Allan Kent) catches a flying escargot that Vivian accidentally flings across the room during a fancy dinner with Edward and other businessmen. — Maria Yagoda, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026 Bubela corralls a grounder and flings it to first for an out. — Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026 Isabelle slides off Sarah’s lap, flings the towel, pulls on her swimming mask, grabs her mom’s hand and tugs her toward the pool. — Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flings

Noun

This spring, college hoops teams went on staggering spending sprees, with some individual players set to earn as much as entire teams did a season ago.

— Brendan Marks, New York Times, 26 July 2026
The People’s Bank of China, for instance, has pushed for multi-month buying sprees, while the Reserve Bank of India has repatriated roughly 100 tonnes of gold back to domestic vaults.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Definition of sprees

Noun

Jennifer Lackard previously served as the deputy commissioner for wellness in the community affairs division of the Mount Vernon Police Department.

— Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Some of the teams that previously reported to her, including some safety teams, will now report to Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, one of these people said, though two others warned that no decision has yet been finalized.

— Billy Perrigo, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of affairs

Verb

It is headed straight toward another SUV, driven by a medic for CHOP security, who immediately throws it in reverse and backs away to avoid the white Jeep, which is coming at it head on.

— Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Detroit could walk away with an above-average starter who throws something like 140 innings a year, an above-average everyday right fielder and at least a quality reliever if not another starter.

— Keith Law, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of throws

Noun

On the west coast, Gros and Petit Piton (Saint Lucia’s iconic volcanoes) rise from beneath the gin-clear sea to shelter the curvaceous coves at Anse Chastanet and Jalousie Beach, which inspire From Here To Eternity-style romps on the shore.

— Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
Spring break isn’t just for partying college kids and family theme-park romps.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026

Definition of romps

Noun

Multiple attempts by Star reporters to contact McGee Thursday afternoon were unsuccessful.

— Ilana Arougheti Updated August 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
Universities should resist government attempts to dictate scholarship, research agendas, curriculum or permissible viewpoints.

— David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempts

Noun

At the heart of the show, there are several strong romances that — in success — would carry on over three seasons.

— Antonio Ferme, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
Pulley’s latest balances macro stakes with delightful burgeoning romances and connections between unlikely allies thrown together against the unbelievable.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of romances

Verb

Whether your 9-to-5 job involves a rare combination of manual record keeping and precarious wilderness travel, or your idea of outdoor recreation includes journaling your day while remaining at the ready for whatever nature hurls at you, the all-new Pen-metheus equips you for it all.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 June 2026
Even when the wacky Halifax weather hurls the wildest of curveballs at the SailGP fleet, somehow Tom Slingsby and the irrepressible Australians ride their magic carpet of consummate skill and a decent dose of luck to lead the standings after the first day of the Canada Sail Grand Prix.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 21 June 2026