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

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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 reticence ended after the tree-cutting spree earlier this month.

— Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
And Criss was concerned that unchecked growth of the program, coupled with a spree of tax cuts, could put the state budget into a tailspin.

— Henry Culvyhouse, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of spree

Noun

Well, on Monday, Overshown put those doubts to rest by tying for the team lead with six tackles and recording a game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter to thwart a Philadelphia comeback attempt.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
Butker made his next attempt — a 50-yard field goal to cut the Seahawks’ lead to 13-3 late in the third quarter — before missing from 45 yards midway through the fourth.

— Pete Sweeney October 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of attempt

Noun

The Amazonas electoral court, the Brazilian Superior Electoral Court and the Indigenous affairs agency did not respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press.

— Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
OpenAI’s head of global affairs, Chris Lehane, has argued that an antitrust exemption specifically for model pacing would not be necessary.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of affair

Verb

Charlotte also turned the ball over on its first possession of the second half when Naz Reid (a game-high seven turnovers, but also a team-high 17 points) threw it away.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Just over a week before Wicker began filming in Hungary, costume designers András Dániel Tóth and Attila Godena-Juhász, who work together as András + Attila, were thrown one big curveball.

— Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of throw

Noun

Treat them to this silly little romp, which sees all-time queen Oscar Wilde and his lover taking in a secret performance of the writer’s Salome at a friend’s brothel.

— Juan A. Ramírez, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026
Selman has been able to add a layer of camp on top that gives its boudoir romp ethos a layer of knowingness.

— Max Berlinger, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of romp

Noun

The couple first sparked romance rumors in November 2025 after they were photographed together in New York City.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Genres run from crime thrillers and detective mysteries to folklore horror, social and courtroom drama, and romance.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of romance

Verb

For over a week, protesters have hurled rocks, flares, firebombs and fireworks at police who have used batons and tear gas in clashes in the city center.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Videos show some masked protesters hurling objects at police as the tear gas drifts across the square.

— Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fling

noun

verb

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Synonyms of fling

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing fling

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Cite this Entry

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