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
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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
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
The Pentagon is starting to release files related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), or unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
This is stuff that’s just flying over your head?
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 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
As the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic Coast, the state park is a hotspot for hang gliding, kite flying, and sunset watching.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
The Pentagon is starting to release files related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), or unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
Verb
In the modern era of travel, many of us use mobile boarding passes when flying.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
This is stuff that’s just flying over your head?
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 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
-
Now, a new study suggests researchers may have found the first drug regimen capable of rapid and sustaining relief from suicidal thoughts across a broad group of patients.—
Ariana Eunjung Cha,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
-
Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, the deputy secretary-general, said that given the high level of movement of people and goods across the region, coordinated preparedness and rapid information sharing are essential to preventing cross-border transmission.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Direct flights from South Korea, Russia, China, Thailand, and Singapore have added to this area’s tourism boom.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
When disruption hits, travelers are on their own The survey paints a stark picture of what actually happens when a flight goes sideways.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
These sausage bites are the appetizer that will keep crowds hovering around the buffet table.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
-
Throughout the evening, Sting — in tight black leather pants, a white graphic T-shirt, and chunky black boots — never appeared winded, never reached for water, never dabbed sweat with a towel despite temperatures still hovering in the 80s well after sunset.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Scenes from this film-within-a-film play out in full, and feature Emma Mackey as a damsel escaping a hungry, humanoid fish creature, while a pair of mad scientists, played by comedy duo Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, attempt to study the ravenous creature.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
IndieWire,
18 May 2026
-
The 11-bed unit, opened in 2005, has a dedicated laboratory and HEPA-filtered, negative-pressure rooms that prevent pathogens from escaping into all patient rooms.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Hamaguchi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Léa Le Dimna, spent two years developing the project in France, traveling between Tokyo and Paris and conducting actor workshops to familiarize himself with how French performers approach text.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
Brentford end their season with a home game against Crystal Palace on Sunday before travelling to Anfield to face Liverpool on the final day on May 24.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Castro, 94, and his brother, Fidel Castro, were accused of ordering the Cuban air force to shoot down two civilian planes that belonged to the Brothers nonprofit group, which carried out rescue missions to save Cubans fleeing their homeland.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
-
Ricardo Navarrete brought his love of soccer from Colombia to Chicago in 2022, after fleeing his native country with his mom Liliana.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
His disappearing act also comes as the court battle has swung against him.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
14 May 2026
-
Dela Rosa, who returned to the Senate on Monday for the first time since disappearing from public view in November, has appealed to Marcos not to hand him over to the ICC.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flying. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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