sling
5 synonyms for sling, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To throw something with a swinging or arcing motion.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To throw something with a swinging or arcing motion.
“He slung his bag over his shoulder and headed out the door.”
How to use sling
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
arm in a sling
baby sling
sling a bag over your shoulder
Etymology
From Old Norse slyngva, "to hurl," related to a Germanic root meaning "to wind, twist" — the same idea behind German schlingen.
Full origin of sling →Frequently asked questions
What does “sling” mean?
The word “sling” means to throw something with a swinging or arcing motion. In plain terms, to throw something in a swinging motion, or a supportive strap/loop worn on the body — for an injured arm, a baby, or a bag.
How do you pronounce “sling”?
“Sling” is pronounced SLIHNG (/ˈslɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sling” in a sentence?
Here is “sling” used in a sentence: “The dealer was slinging drugs on the corner most nights.”
What part of speech is “sling”?
Depending on how it is used, “sling” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “sling” come from?
The word “sling” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse slyngva, "to hurl," related to a Germanic root meaning "to wind, twist" — the same idea behind German schlingen.
Is “sling” a common word?
“Sling” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sling” have?
“Sling” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to throw something with a swinging or arcing motion.
