1
as in scurrying
to proceed or move quickly
the probe hurtled through space to its destination: Jupiter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in throwing
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
competitors taking turns hurtling their javelins down the field
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 hurtling
Given the orbital-high hopes, any disappointment will trigger a hurtling descent.
—
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 13 June 2026
Paired with building piano chords and a non-stop lyrical delivery, the listener gets the feeling that Rodrigo is hurtling towards something — whether that something is good or bad remains to be seen.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 12 June 2026
Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Our star just unleashed three powerful solar flares in less than 24 hours and potentially sending multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurtling toward Earth, raising the chances of northern lights displays this week.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 3 June 2026
But that thematic potential is diluted in a movie that keeps hurtling forward without gathering steam.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
The 12-team College Football Playoff will enter just its third season this fall, but momentum seems to be hurtling toward doubling the size of the sport’s postseason tournament.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 19 May 2026
Even though astronomers have directly observed the object hurtling toward Earth, its exact size is unknown.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
The biker was sent hurtling through the air as his vehicle ripped apart.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 13 June 2026
Paired with building piano chords and a non-stop lyrical delivery, the listener gets the feeling that Rodrigo is hurtling towards something — whether that something is good or bad remains to be seen.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 12 June 2026
Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Our star just unleashed three powerful solar flares in less than 24 hours and potentially sending multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurtling toward Earth, raising the chances of northern lights displays this week.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 3 June 2026
But that thematic potential is diluted in a movie that keeps hurtling forward without gathering steam.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
The 12-team College Football Playoff will enter just its third season this fall, but momentum seems to be hurtling toward doubling the size of the sport’s postseason tournament.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 19 May 2026
Even though astronomers have directly observed the object hurtling toward Earth, its exact size is unknown.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
The biker was sent hurtling through the air as his vehicle ripped apart.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurtling
Verb
-
Mahayahay Elementary School, located in the province of Davao Occidental, shared footage on social media showing frightened students squatting on the ground and then scurrying away when a canopy roof collapsed during the quake.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
-
The only chilly part will be scurrying a few feet from the trailer door into the bathroom and back.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Paul Goldschmidt hit an infield single off Braydon Fisher (2-2) to begin the ninth and advanced on Fisher's throwing error.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
But Nick Loftin, who pinch-hit for Michael Massey, committed a costly mistake, throwing just wide of Jac Caglianone, who was playing first base because Vinnie Pasquantino had exited the game earlier with an injury (more about that below).—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Both Lara and Tapanes are hoping something can be done to stop speeding in their neighborhood.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
The pedestrian was trying to cross the road at the Chicago Avenue intersection when the victim was hit by a speeding car, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
In 2017, Spanish police said a 6-year-old girl died and six other children were injured when an inflatable bouncy castle came free from its stakes and flew into the air in Caldes de Malavella, in northeastern Spain, hurling the children to the ground.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
Seemingly out of nowhere, people on the sidewalk joined her and started hurling objects at her.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Set over the course of eight years (including the lockdown period during COVID), Herry’s film unfolds fluidly, neither hurrying scenes up unnecessarily, nor lingering too long on any incident.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Martín Pérez was on the mound for the home team, a soft-tossing veteran lefty who was pumping in 89-mph sinkers.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
20 June 2026
-
During the opening match of the World Cup last week, some Mexico fans were seen tossing sombreros in delight as their team defeated the Republic of South Africa 2-0, but the hats might come in handy for the rest of the tournament.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s the kind of mentality Boise State’s edge rushing group for the 2026 season should expect.—
Shaun Goodwin
June 17,
Idaho Statesman,
17 June 2026
-
Share a bold idea, and invite honest feedback without rushing the room.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The players rotated quickly, setting flurries of picks and cutting, creating space by driving to the basket, stretching the defense to the point of breaking, and then flinging the ball to the open man in the corner.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
-
My summer version of Jay Gatsby flinging his silk shirts over a balcony is filling a room with dainty cotton blouses and dresses in sweet floral motifs.—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hurtling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurtling. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
