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 travelling
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of flying
Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
Social media users have suggested the small flying objects were Skittles candy.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 1 Dec. 2024
Andres Triay, CBS News, 4 June 2025
And while financials markets have gone up and down and up and down again and again, private flying has been going in one direction – up.
—Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flying
Adjective
Our fact-check sources Chaos Factory (YouTube), Sept. 1, 2023, BREAKING: UFO's seen over South Florida today being followed by military attack helicopters
Business Insider, Feb. 12, 2023, The US has shot down 3 suspicious flying objects in 3 days.
—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
Social media users have suggested the small flying objects were Skittles candy.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
Four Polish border guards were with Park when he was taken back to the U.S., and two members of the FBI flying squad were also on the flight, according to two senior U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the investigation.
—Andres Triay, CBS News, 4 June 2025
And while financials markets have gone up and down and up and down again and again, private flying has been going in one direction – up.
—Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flying
Adjective
-
Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification -- when a storm gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours -- which is about twice the average and causes forecasting problems, according to the hurricane center.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 June 2025
-
New Mexico's Governor Responds A federal emergency declaration was issued by New Mexico's governor on June 17 in response to the Trout Fire's rapid advance.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Additionally, LaGuardia Airport was seeing delays of up to three hours, with the FAA implementing a Traffic Management Program for incoming flights.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
-
The plot splits the team up, with Riker (Jonathan Frakes) leading efforts to ensure the flight goes off without a hitch.—
Chris Snellgrove,
EW.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
The chance for precipitation is hovering around 60% as of Saturday morning and rainfall amounts are expected to reach between a tenth and quarter of an inch, the forecast shows.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
22 Mar. 2025
-
To the north, Canada also slipped down the ladder but remains well ahead of the US, coming in at 18 after hovering around 15 for the last few years.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Reading can be a powerful way of escaping, relaxing and realizing truths about ourselves and the world.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Many of us dream of financial freedom, escaping the grind, and living in luxury.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Global Refuge told Newsweek that it is encouraged by the White House's statement that no decision has been made, as revoking protections now would signal a concerning shift in America's commitment to those fleeing conflict.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The New York Times reported that in Panama the first flights of these migrants included Christians fleeing persecution in Iran and Chinese nationals seeking asylum.—
Jack Herrera,
The New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The two 16-year-old girls who were lost overnight after disappearing while paddleboarding have been released from the hospital.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
-
While remote work isn’t disappearing, the era of full-time remote freedom may be ending for many workers.—
Jason Wingard,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There have been many examples of that from our first edition up until today with global producers and DJs working with top headliners from Saudi, Egypt, Lebanon and rest of the Arab world.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
27 Dec. 2024
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Before coming to The Athletic, Weiss spent a decade working for the government, primarily as a compliance bank regulator.—
Jared Weiss,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Yet in spite of its rather hurried origins, it’s gone on to become a General Motors success story in the quarter-century since it was created.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
17 June 2025
-
And the hurried pace of the deportations has ignored due process, experts and advocates say.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flying. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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