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fling

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fling distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fling are cast, hurl, pitch, sling, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

When would cast be a good substitute for fling?

The words cast and fling can be used in similar contexts, but cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

When can hurl be used instead of fling?

Although the words hurl and fling have much in common, hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

Where would pitch be a reasonable alternative to fling?

The meanings of pitch and fling largely overlap; however, pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

When is sling a more appropriate choice than fling?

While in some cases nearly identical to fling, sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

In what contexts can throw take the place of fling?

The synonyms throw and fling are sometimes interchangeable, but throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

When might toss be a better fit than fling?

While the synonyms toss and fling are close in meaning, toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

Examples 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 fling
Noun
Is this romance just a holiday fling that ends when her trip is over? Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 The actor, 43, appears as Kyle, an old fling of Joanne’s, who brought back his rocker character Kyle Bradway from Party Down for the quick scene. Liza Esquibias, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Verb
After sweeping both the Tchaikovsky and Rubinstein piano competitions in 2011 — and finishing third at the International Chopin Piano Competition the year before that — the Russian musician, then still a student at the Cleveland Institute of Music, was flung into superstardom. Chicago Tribune, 20 Nov. 2024 Made from an alpaca, wool, and silk blend, this thing brings all the texture and all the snuggles wherever it's flung. Annie Blackman, Allure, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fling 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fling
Noun
  • Management is getting more stressful Many companies have undergone rapid transformations since 2020, including dealing with mass turnover and hiring sprees, adjusting to remote and hybrid work, restructuring teams, adding responsibilities to jobs and facing budget cuts.
    Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
  • One-third of CPS schools are more than half empty yet the CPS board — a vassal of CTU — has increased salaries and benefits by nearly 50% since 2019, going on a 9,000-staffer hiring spree even as 37,000 more students left the system.
    Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The proposal was first announced in January as part of President Joe Biden’s crackdown on junk fees and attempt to bring about more transparency on charges including on airline tickets, live events, car rentals, hotels, banking services, retirement advice and credit cards.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Bridges has struggled in this role, and his woes continued on Wednesday even though Young finished with just 22 points on 22 shot attempts with 11 assists on the night.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy is associated with wanton destruction, but a recent discovery throws that assumption into question.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
  • But then, a chance encounter with an Orthodox man on the Antwerp tram throws a wrench into her plans.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Check out the full doc, time stamped to the aftermath of the romp, below.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The 45-19 romp on Saturday over the Cyclones awards the Sun Devils their first Big 12 title and sends them into the College Football Playoff.
    Rebecca 'Becca' Dyer, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Domino's embraced the criticism and augmented their product offering and messaging to signal new meaning—and pizza lovers gave Domino's another try.
    Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Newsweek has contacted a representative for Swift for try to confirm the information.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The festive affair came after the mother of two was forced to cancel previous shows in Newark, New Jersey, Belmont Park, New York, and Pittsburgh due to the flu.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Dec. 2024
  • By the turn of the century, Hiller writes, these domestic workers headed elsewhere to earn their wages, leaving the housewives to tend to kitchen affairs.
    Michelle Mastro, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Forest hurled themselves towards the finishing line.
    Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Watch Durston founder Dan Durston all but hurl himself on top of his latest creation to prove its strength and go through the thoughtful design details in the 8.5-minute intro video below.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • But prior to its reference in the dialogue, Park wrote the title first on a lark.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2024
  • Though given that Agatha works best as a lark, sometimes the more committed the actor, the less successful the performance is in context.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fling

Cite this Entry

“Fling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fling. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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