1
as in rushed
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
a flying attempt at finishing the work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed
that car was flying as it careened down the streets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in flight
travel through the air by the use of wings
had never had the slightest fear of flying
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in hovering
to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings
the Wright brothers realized mankind's age-old wish to fly
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in escaping
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
you must fly to safety immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in traveling
to proceed or move quickly
flew down the concourse to catch his flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in fleeing
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
no one in the movies ever thinks to fly from the ax murderer and immediately call the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in disappearing
to cease to be visible
the morning mist had flown, and a sparkling sea lay before us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in working
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the familiar "Because I said so!" is a reason that won't fly with most teenagers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flying
Leonard David, Space.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Despite having small brains, pterosaurs’ overall brain shape surprisingly resembled that of non-flying, small, bird-like dinosaurs (troodontids and dromaeosaurids).
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
UFOs, the term for unidentified flying objects, has in recent years given way to UAP — unidentified aerial phenomena or unidentified anomalous phenomena.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Bradley Krae, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2026
While offensive players were flying off the board early, defensive players started to come off in a hurry such as LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flying
Adjective
Chang'e 7 features an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a mini-flying probe or hopper, which together will tote to the moon a total of 18 scientific instruments.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Despite having small brains, pterosaurs’ overall brain shape surprisingly resembled that of non-flying, small, bird-like dinosaurs (troodontids and dromaeosaurids).
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
Noun
Why loyalty programs feel like prisons Remember when frequent flyer programs rewarded, well, frequent flying?
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
UFOs, the term for unidentified flying objects, has in recent years given way to UAP — unidentified aerial phenomena or unidentified anomalous phenomena.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
My main safety concern is the electric scooters flying down the sidewalks.
—Bradley Krae, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2026
While offensive players were flying off the board early, defensive players started to come off in a hurry such as LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flying
Adjective
-
As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Little emphasized the need to ease property taxes in a letter accompanying his signature but criticized Moyle’s approach as rushed and overly complex.—
Mark Dee
March 25,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Attendees donated blood and were provided free blood pressure readings, glucose screenings, rapid HIV testing and information on health and other resources available in the community.—
Francine Knowles,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Instead of going near the moon, the mission will serve as a test flight in which a new crew of astronauts aboard an Orion capsule will dock in Earth orbit with at least one of the commercial lunar landers being developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Getting there Reaching Culebra requires a ferry, small flight, or private sailing charter from mainland Puerto Rico.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With interest rates hovering above 20% on many cards, carrying a balance even for a few months can quickly snowball.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Today, with Apple’s market cap hovering around $4 trillion, that 10% stake could theoretically be worth more than $400 billion.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Together, these mechanisms prevent the battery’s active materials from degrading or from escaping across the membrane, thereby ensuring long-term stability.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors have charged the 26-year-old Talley with murder, attempted murder and escaping from police, among other charges.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After the match, Chelsea captain Reece James made a point of pushing McFarlane towards the travelling support to receive his congratulations.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Roughly 55% of people traveling along the avenue are doing so on a bus, city data says.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His parents had returned to Poland after fleeing east to the Soviet Union during the Nazi invasion.—
Stephen Silver,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Uganda has a reputation for welcoming foreigners, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing violent conflict in neighboring countries such as Congo, Burundi and South Sudan.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Pistons’ fall from grace starts with their disappearing offense.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As Kai Havertz trudged off the pitch in the 34th minute of Arsenal’s win against Newcastle United on Saturday, there may have been some within the Arsenal fanbase who viewed it as an allegory for their team’s title chances disappearing down the tunnel of yet another season.—
Jon Mackenzie,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flying. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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