soar

[ sawr, sohr ]

verb (used without object)

1. to fly upward, as a bird.
2. to fly at a great height, without visible movements of the pinions, as a bird.
3. to glide along at a height, as an airplane.
4. to rise or ascend to a height, as a mountain.

   Synonyms: mount, tower

5. to rise or aspire to a higher or more exalted level:

   His hopes soared.

noun

1. an act or instance of soaring.
2. the height attained in soaring.

soar

/ sɔː /

verb

1. to rise or fly upwards into the air
2. (of a bird, aircraft, etc) to glide while maintaining altitude by the use of ascending air currents
3. to rise or increase in volume, size, etc

   soaring prices

noun

1. the act of soaring
2. the altitude attained by soaring

Derived Forms

• ˈsoaring, nounadjective
• ˈsoarer, noun

Other Words From

• soarer noun
• soaring·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of soar¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English soren, from Middle French essorer, from unattested Vulgar Latin exaurāre, equivalent to Latin ex- ex- ¹ + aur(a) “air” + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of soar¹

C14: from Old French essorer, from Vulgar Latin exaurāre (unattested) to expose to the breezes, from Latin ex- ¹+ aura a breeze

Synonym Study

See fly ².

Example Sentences

Donations to nonprofits, which soared in 2016, are down, and tactics such as another Women’s March have been met with a decided lack of enthusiasm.

From Salon

But while he seeks to capitalise on the project's undoubted success, a contrast is unavoidable between the depressed state of the country as a whole, and the soaring achievement of fixing this magnificent Gothic cathedral.

From BBC

Stat reported that the company “pressured its medical staff to cut off payments for seriously ill patients … denying rehabilitation care for older and disabled Americans as profits soared.”

From Los Angeles Times

But after soaring in popularity following the introduction of Tinder in 2014, user numbers are now falling.

From BBC

Stay-at-home orders across the country resulted in a soaring demand for companion animals.

From Salon

Related Words

• ascend
• escalate
• lift
• mount
• rise
• rocket
• sail
• shoot
• shoot up
• skyrocket
• top