fling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of flingnext
1
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
2
as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something take a fling at waterskiing and see how it goes

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in affair
a brief romantic relationship an ill-advised fling with a coworker

Synonyms & Similar Words

fling

2 of 2

verb

ˈfliŋ How to pronounce fling (audio)
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
This could be a passionate fling or a creative breakthrough. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026 My obsessions are relatively fleeting, resulting in a series of torrid flings over the decades. —Loz Blain january 15, New Atlas, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the cavernous, warehouse-like space, the boys turn into physical exhibitionists, showing off for one another by hoisting heavy chunks of scrap metal and flinging them across the ruin. —Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026 Most were immigrants from poor backgrounds, born in the Russian Empire between 1870 and 1910 and flung across the Atlantic as children or adolescents. —Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fling
  1. spree
  2. attempt
  3. affair
  4. throw
  5. romp
  6. try
  7. romance
  8. hurl
Noun
  • During 2021, life science investment peaked and speculative developers went on a building spree, but today much of that space sits empty.
    — Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The 37-second spree was the fastest three goals in Penguins history and the fastest three allowed by the Oilers.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of spree
Noun
  • Russia's daily bombardment of civilian areas behind the roughly 600-mile front line has continued despite international condemnation and attempts to end the fighting.
    — AAMER MADHANI AND SUSIE BLANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Previous attempts at a temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine have all failed to hold.
    — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of attempt
Noun
  • Justin White, vice president of student affairs and strategic initiatives, told the college's board of trustees this month the college is enrolling a record number of high school students in concurrent credit courses.
    — Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The archivist handed him a heavy file—or legajo—labeled 377, from a section dealing with Caribbean affairs.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Definition of affair
Verb
  • But of all the spaghetti that got thrown at the wall, this is the one that hits for reasons that are totally orthogonal to politics and sort of Washington.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The changes to and cancellation of courses comes months after a viral video of a student confronting an instructor over her lessons threw Texas A&M, one of the largest universities in the country, into upheaval.
    — Juan A. Lozano, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of throw
Noun
  • In the film, Sandler compares listening to the bits — an elderly Jew talking about his romps through history — to hearing his own Jewish uncles talk in Florida.
    — Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Nala Williams and Kennedy Lee had double-doubles and six reserves played more than 10 minutes as San Diego State women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to 11 straight games with a 94-66 wire-to-wire romp over San Jose State on Saturday afternoon at Viejas Arena.
    — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of romp
Noun
  • On his initial try, Malinin was slightly off axis and skidded out of the axel sideways.
    — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Give this a try, or like the rest of us, wait several weeks after sowing to expect the first seedlings.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of try
Noun
  • Actually looking for the romance category as a category that’s been underrepresented, both in streaming and just kind of broadly in our eyes.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Yet in Season 3 of the show, Theo didn’t appear at all, suggesting that Eloise’s romance in the show may go back to following the books.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of romance
Verb
  • On TV, the challenges are kinetic and exciting, flashy spectacles where people hurl their bodies off massive obstacle courses into the churning ocean below.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Apparently, my father approached the people hurling the insults and asked them to stop.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of hurl

Phrases Containing fling

Browse Nearby Words

flinders
fling
flinging
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fling. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on fling

Nglish: Translation of fling for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 3

‘Fascism’: The Word’s Meaning and History

The Words of the Week - Jan. 30

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 3

‘Fascism’: The Word’s Meaning and History
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
girl-pencil-test
Challenging Standardized Test Words Quiz Vol. 3 You’re on your own for the math section.
See All