He gave the stone a fling.
Source: tatoeba (291085)
Fling
/ˈflɪŋ/
Synonyms for "fling" (232 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (47)
Strong matches (69)
Related words (116)
Noun(23 words)
overhand throwpasspiespitchesquickiequoitsromanceshort relationshipslingingslingsslingshotspreeswishingthrowthrowingthrowing stonesthrowstosstossestossing
Show 3 more words
partypasspegpeltpitchpitchforkplankplopployplumpplungeplunkpoppostprecipitateprojectpropelputput the shotrace
Show 60 more words
rampagerandanrandyrevelriskrushscamperscootscourscramblescrewballscudscurryscuttlesendserveserviceshootshotshot putshot-putshyshy atsinkerskedaddleslamslapsliderslingsling atsnapspitballspittersplurgespreestabstaggerstampedestepstep on itstrokestrong bidteartentativethrowthrow atthrusttilttoottosstoss attrialtrial and errortryundertakingupcurveventurewhackwhirlwingding
Verb(12 words)
Adjective(1 words)
wild throw
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: affair, approach, assay, attempt, bash.
- Sentence evidence is available for fling, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss, moby, wordnet, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "fling".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "fling"
Keep "fling" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "fling" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "fling", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "fling" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
27 entriesShowing 16 of 27 words.
More specific
10 entriesCollocations
11 entriesarm flingbrief flingcarefree flingcareless flingcasual flingfling of the wristfling oneselffling openone night standromantic flingviolent fling
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
1 entriesTranslations
24 translations across 6 languages.
Czech
3 entries- hodit sebou verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- skočit verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- vrhnout se verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
Danish
2 entries- fare verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- styrte verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
German
4 entries- sich an jemanden ranwerfen verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- sich fallen lassen verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- sich heranwerfen (an jemanden) verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- sich herumwerfen verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
Middle English
1 entries- flyngen verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
Russian
4 entries- бро́ситься verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- броса́ться verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- ки́нуться verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- кида́ться verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
Spanish
4 entries- arrojarse verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- echarse verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- lanzarse verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
- tirarse verb (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)
Sample sentences
31 total sentences available.
Youth must have its fling.
Source: tatoeba (391932)
It was just a fling.
Source: tatoeba (1655399)
Tom and Mary had a fling.
Source: tatoeba (6293904)
Showing 4 of 31 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "fling"?
Closest matches include affair, approach, assay, attempt, bash.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "fling"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.