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
Leonard David, Space.com, 6 Jan. 2026
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
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
Private-jet flying this year is running at levels around one third higher than in 2019—and still growing.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Bringing in veteran Demario Davis should help — now Sherwood can divert his attention to flying around and making plays without having to worry as much about getting his teammates set up.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flying
Adjective
Chang'e 7 features an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a mini-flying probe or hopper, which together will tote to the moon a total of 18 scientific instruments.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 6 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
These include flight training and recreational flying.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
Private-jet flying this year is running at levels around one third higher than in 2019—and still growing.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Twenty-two people died there, many of them parents and grandparents who died shielding children from flying debris.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Bringing in veteran Demario Davis should help — now Sherwood can divert his attention to flying around and making plays without having to worry as much about getting his teammates set up.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 11 May 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
-
For instance, researchers found that rapid urbanization and electrification across Asia drove brightening in cities from China to India to Sub-Saharan Africa.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The most common indulgence by far was alcohol, but many flyers also turn to marijuana edibles and non-prescribed medication to deal with flight jitters.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
The man is believed to have traveled on the same flight as one of the two patients evacuated to Johannesburg for treatment in late April.—
Frank Andrews,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
With interest rates hovering above 20% on many cards, carrying a balance even for a few months can quickly snowball.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Today, with Apple’s market cap hovering around $4 trillion, that 10% stake could theoretically be worth more than $400 billion.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Together, these mechanisms prevent the battery’s active materials from degrading or from escaping across the membrane, thereby ensuring long-term stability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors have charged the 26-year-old Talley with murder, attempted murder and escaping from police, among other charges.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Did the connotations of travelling with Spirit carry a sense of embarrassment?—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Residents of multiple countries, including the United States, are being monitored for hantavirus after traveling on the MV Hondius, an Oceanwide Expeditions cruise ship now tied to several cases of the virus.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
His parents had returned to Poland after fleeing east to the Soviet Union during the Nazi invasion.—
Stephen Silver,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Uganda has a reputation for welcoming foreigners, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing violent conflict in neighboring countries such as Congo, Burundi and South Sudan.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But disappearing also wasn’t an option for the activist who raises money for Ukraine and who gained notoriety for his anti-Russian acts, including urinating on a Russian war memorial.—
Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
On the surface, Middle of Nowhere outlines the turmoil before and after an ex’s disappearing act.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flying. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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