Thesaurus results for FLING

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of fling

as in spree

a time or instance of carefree fun most families spend Labor Day weekend having one last summer fling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something take a fling at waterskiing and see how it goes

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in affair

a brief romantic relationship an ill-advised fling with a coworker

Synonyms & Similar Words

fling

2 of 2

verb

ˈfliŋ

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm flinging rocks into the pond just for the fun of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 fling

Noun

Before Harry and Markle were together, the royal was spotted with many girlfriends and brief flings over the years. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 Renata, post-divorce from her fraudster husband Gordon, takes up motorcycle lessons and a fling with a workout instructor. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Surveillance footage of the incident shared by Palermo Today shows a number of passengers throwing punches, before one guest flings a chair at another. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 When the ball hit the turf, Rocchio flung his helmet in the air and Cleveland's dugout emptied onto the field to celebrate. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fling

Noun

That buying spree reflects Beijing's push to cut its dependence on the dollar, and Chinese households' lack of safe alternatives, with analysts expecting sustained demand for the bullion in a struggling economy.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Sandler stars as a downtrodden deli worker who steps up to protect his fellow Salem residents from a Halloween-night kidnapping spree.

— Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of spree

Noun

Days before the execution attempt, Lee rejected the clemency request.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Distributed by Hive Media Corp, the drama reconstructs the August 15, 1974 assassination attempt on President Park Chung-hee and stars Yu Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho as figures probing contradictions in the state’s official inquiry.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of attempt

Noun

Her character has a romantic tension with Dennison, and despite plotting an affair, the pair only flirt and never act on it.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Citing no evidence other than her tarot cards, Guillard claimed the professor ordered the murders to cover up an affair with one of the female victims.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of affair

Verb

Young men from the village threw stones back, Khrzhanovskiy said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
That sudden ascent, for a band spiritually in league with the Velvet Underground and Suicide, led some to wonder what exactly happened behind the social media scenes to get them there (one conspiratorial phrase got thrown around in particular).

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of throw

Noun

Blair is set to shoot a supporting role in Schmoolie the Deathwatcher, a film described as a mystical coming-of-age romp directed by Bridget Stokes from a script by Theresa Burkhart Gallagher.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Riding high after their 2024 romp, in which Republicans won control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, there was optimism in the GOP that the rightward turn among Hispanic voters could reflect a permanent realignment.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of romp

Noun

For example, using a quantum computer to break the current RSA-2048 encryption employed in website security, banking and electronic ID cards would require magic states that would fail only once in 10 billion tries.

— Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026
Reese will try to follow Stewart and win the title in her first try.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of try

Noun

Maya runs away from her pain by traveling the world, first to Portugal and then to London and Japan, but an unexpected romance forces her to confront her past and realize that there may be more than one love of her life.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
One of his first writing jobs was actually on the 1989 ABC sitcom Anything But Love, about the romance between co-workers played by leads Curtis and comedian Richard Lewis.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of romance

Verb

The settlers hurled stones with slings and set the groves on fire, chasing a group of journalists about 80 yards from the scene.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
The protest turned violent when a group of young people wearing masks hurled rocks at riot police, who responded with stun grenades, tear gas and a water cannon.

— Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurl

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flinders

fling

flinging

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Style

“Fling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fling. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fling

noun

verb

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Synonyms of fling

noun

verb

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Example Sentences

Phrases Containing fling

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Cite this Entry

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