fling

19 synonyms and 3 antonyms for fling, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To throw something suddenly and with force.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

go offer pass crack

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

toss dispose spree discard

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

whirl splurge toss out cast out put away toss away chuck out throw out cast away cast aside throw away

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To throw something suddenly and with force.

“He flung his bag onto the bed and collapsed beside it.”

go offer pass crack toss dispose spree discard whirl splurge toss out cast out put away toss away chuck out throw out cast away cast aside throw away

Opposites

keep hold retain

2. noun

A brief, casual romantic or sexual relationship.

“It was never serious, just a summer fling.”

spree pass crack offer whirl go

How to use fling

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

fling open the door summer fling have a fling

Etymology

From Middle English fling, likely related to Old Norse words describing quick, forceful movement.

Full origin of fling →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fling” mean?

The word “fling” means to throw something suddenly and with force. In plain terms, to throw something forcefully, or (as a noun) a brief romance or a short burst of carefree fun.

How do you pronounce “fling”?

“Fling” is pronounced FLIHNG (/ˈflɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “fling” in a sentence?

Here is “fling” used in a sentence: “It was never serious, just a summer fling.”

What part of speech is “fling”?

Depending on how it is used, “fling” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “fling” come from?

The word “fling” comes from Middle English. From Middle English fling, likely related to Old Norse words describing quick, forceful movement.

Is “fling” a common word?

“Fling” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “fling” have?

“Fling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to throw something suddenly and with force.

People also searched

go keep hold offer pass crack retain toss dispose spree discard whirl

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of fling