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
Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
For those arriving from Fort Lauderdale, however a different flying experience.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
The impact caused the suspect to lose control, sideswipe a tree and go flying off the scooter.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 20 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
This former flying club and private villa isn’t in the village of Parkgate itself, but is only a 10-minute drive away; close enough to provide some country-house calm within easy reach of a day’s estuary wandering.
—Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
For those arriving from Fort Lauderdale, however a different flying experience.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
That location data appears to show these planes getting as close as 500 feet (152 meters) apart with one of them flying just over the top of the other plane, according to FlightRadar24, so that would fit the official definition of a near midair collision.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
The impact caused the suspect to lose control, sideswipe a tree and go flying off the scooter.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 20 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
-
Private credit's rapid rise has been key to global dealmaking for more than a decade.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Our survey of Americans ages 18-29 allows for a closer look at the sentiments of young adults at a moment of rapid technological advancement and geopolitical change.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Spirit Airlines operates more than 500 daily flights to more than 60 destinations, including at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The homeowner, Thania Magana, said flight data showed a plane passing over her neighborhood at the time, according to Hahn.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An upstairs primary suite of nearly 1,000 square feet, meanwhile, flaunts a floating soapstone fireplace and a concrete soaking tub hovering over the grounds.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Your breath slows, your eyes flicker, and then suddenly, who is that hovering above you, walking you through your body shutting down?—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
About two hours’ drive from Dubai, places of great natural beauty such as Khor Fakkan and Hatta offer diving and hiking for those escaping the city.—
Mina Al-Oraibi,
Time,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Manufacturers are flocking to the country, escaping geopolitical uncertainty with a China +1 strategy.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If the bill passes, anyone who wants to ride an e-bike or e-moto capable of traveling over 28 mph would be required to have a driver’s license, title, registration and insurance.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Soleimanpour wrote the play while he was forbidden from travelling outside Iran.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The pursuit ended with Wilkins fleeing the vehicle on foot, with two officers in pursuit.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Rodriguez abandoned his scooter in the street and tampered with its license plate before fleeing, first to the Bronx, then rural Pennsylvania, the prosecutor said.—
Gardiner Anderson,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That’s your grocery budget quietly disappearing into the trash.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Snapchat, which is popular with young people and known for its disappearing photos and videos, has 474 million users every day, on average, according to the annual report.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flying. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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