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View synonyms for fling

fling

[fling]

verb (used with object)

flung, flinging 
  1. to throw, cast, or hurl with force or violence.

    to fling a stone.

  2. to move (oneself ) violently with impatience, contempt, or the like.

    She flung herself angrily from the room.

  3. to put suddenly or violently.

    to fling a suspect into jail.

  4. to project or speak sharply, curtly, or forcefully.

    He flung his answer at the questioner.

  5. to involve (oneself ) vigorously in an undertaking.

  6. to move, do, or say (something) quickly.

    to fling a greeting in passing.

  7. to send suddenly and rapidly.

    to fling fresh troops into a battle.

  8. to throw aside or off.

  9. to throw to the ground, as in wrestling or horseback riding.



verb (used without object)

flung, flinging 
  1. to move with haste or violence; rush; dash.

  2. to fly into violent and irregular motions, as a horse; throw the body about, as a person.

  3. to speak harshly or abusively (usually followed byout ).

    He flung out disgustedly against the whole human race.

noun

  1. an act of flinging.

  2. a short period of unrestrained pursuit of one's wishes or desires.

    The week of partying was my last fling before starting a new job.

  3. an attempt at something.

    He took a fling at playwriting.

  4. a critical or contemptuous remark; gibe.

  5. Also called Highland flinga lively Scottish dance characterized by flinging movements of the arms and legs.

fling

/ flɪŋ /

verb

  1. to throw, esp with force or abandon; hurl or toss

  2. to put or send without warning or preparation

    to fling someone into jail

  3. (also intr) to move (oneself or a part of the body) with abandon or speed

    he flung himself into a chair

  4. (usually foll by into) to apply (oneself) diligently and with vigour (to)

  5. to cast aside; disregard

    she flung away her scruples

  6. to utter violently or offensively

  7. poetic,  to give out; emit

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of flinging; toss; throw

  2. a period or occasion of unrestrained, impulsive, or extravagant behaviour

    to have a fling

  3. any of various vigorous Scottish reels full of leaps and turns, such as the Highland fling

  4. a trial; try

    to have a fling at something different

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • outfling verb (used with object)
  • flinger noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fling1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; compare Swedish flänga “to fly, race”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fling1

C13: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse flengja to flog, Swedish flänga , Danish flænge
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Idioms and Phrases

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As in Brazil, it’s a nakedly political effort to fling a life preserver to an endangered right-wing ally.

Read more on Salon

Amiryan, who flung himself over his partner, was shot in the abdomen and arm.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

European talisman Rory McIlroy was the prime target from the American galleries, while his wife Erica was hit by a drinks cup flung from one of the stands.

Read more on BBC

However, according to Opta, Howe's side have already flung 13 long throws into the penalty area in the opening five games of the new campaign.

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There's no end of flak that can be flung at Russell Martin for the epic fail that is his project at Rangers.

Read more on BBC

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Flinders Rangeflinger