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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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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
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Those engines made the new generation of 737s more fuel efficient, but also changed the jets' flying characteristics.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Alison Herman, Variety, 15 June 2026
Tree and four others were in one helicopter, while one pilot was flying the other.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 June 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 a result, flight training increasingly relies on simulators and L-39 Albatros trainers rather than sustained operational flying.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Those engines made the new generation of 737s more fuel efficient, but also changed the jets' flying characteristics.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Verb
The dragons are just the CGI flying lizards on top.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 15 June 2026
Tree and four others were in one helicopter, while one pilot was flying the other.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flying
Adjective
-
Instead, Mahan and his wealthy Silicon Valley backers talked themselves into a rushed and premature campaign that was never remotely competitive.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Similar rapid advancements occurred with chemistry in the 19th century and physics in the 20th century, and the 21st century will go to biology and medicine.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 31-year-old Lang was arrested Tuesday after getting off a flight in Dallas on one third-degree felony count of making a terroristic threat.—
Shawna Mizelle,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
The team now plans stratospheric flights later this year, targeting altitudes above 40,000 feet—higher than typical passenger airliner cruise levels.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Nahant Beach saw another jump to 95% after hovering around 80% for the previous four years, the report stated.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
-
When Sean Penn and Madonna got married in 1985, their Malibu wedding was interrupted by several helicopters hovering.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
One theory is that a surprisingly large amount of crude is escaping the double blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, helping the global energy system absorb the historic shock.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Still others were escaping the horrors of the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia.—
Elizabeth Holtzman,
Time,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The journalists travelling with the pope sit at the back of the plane, while the pope, cardinals, bishops and Vatican staff sit at the front.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
This year, instead of traveling to Orlando for the annual Pulse remembrances, the family chose a different way to honor him.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Investigators said Kamara then exchanged gunfire with the second officer on scene before fleeing farther down the trail.—
Maggie Trovato,
Baltimore Sun,
9 June 2026
-
The poetic horror drama follows a young mother fleeing a toxic relationship and reconnecting with her grandmother, who carries wounds of her own.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
When too much wealth depends on one company, one market environment, one liquidity path or one source of compensation, flexibility starts disappearing long before the balance sheet reflects it.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Finally, toolbars are becoming more consistent, and the distracting icons in drop-down menus are quietly disappearing.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flying. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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