High-flying
adj.capable, hopefulplayful
What it means
Highly ambitious, prominent, or successful in a competitive field.
Reach for it when describing visible upward momentum with a lively tone
The high-flying studio paired rapid growth with fair apprentice pay.
Choose between these
6- playful
brash informal praise suits a notably talented person
not when Hotshot can imply arrogance and is disrespectful in formal recognition.
- everyday
positive results matter without the image of rapid ascent
not when Successful can describe quiet stability rather than prominent momentum.
- warm
rising
an early career or organization is gaining recognition
not when Rising suggests a trajectory, while high-flying can describe an established leader.
- professional
demanding aims are more important than present results
not when Ambition is an intention and does not establish high-flying success.
- formal
prominent
visibility and influence within a field are the key facts
not when Prominence can come from controversy instead of achievement.
- literary
soaring
rapid upward movement deserves an expressive image
not when Soaring overstates steady gains and sounds odd for a person in sober prose.
Said against
3- struggling
- declining
- low-profile
It naturally appears in
3- high-flying career
Her high-flying career began with patient fieldwork in small towns.
- high-flying company
The high-flying company published its risks as clearly as its wins.
- high-flying executive
A high-flying executive returned to teach at the local college.