Soar
v.hopeful, energeticliterary
Meaning 1
To fly or glide high with little visible effort.
Reach for it when describing sustained flight that appears free and elevated
Two eagles began to soar above the warming ridge.
Choose between these
3- everyday
when smooth unpowered movement is the defining action
not when Gliding can happen close to the ground and need not rise.
- formal
when upward movement should be stated neutrally
not when Ascending may be slow, powered, or difficult.
- literary
wheel
when a bird circles broadly in flight
not when Wheeling describes the path, not the height or ease.
Meaning 2
To rise rapidly in amount, quality, confidence, or success.
Reach for it when describing a large upward change while naming what actually increased
Attendance began to soar after the museum added evening hours.
Choose between these
5- playful
skyrocket
when an extremely steep numerical increase deserves vivid emphasis
not when Skyrocket is dramatic and often implies a troubling price increase.
- playful
take off
when a project suddenly gains momentum in casual speech
not when Take off is idiomatic and vague unless the measure follows.
- everyday
climb
when steady measurable increase is the honest description
not when Climb is more restrained and does not suggest exceptional pace.
- warm
when broader thriving and healthy development matter
not when Flourishing is gradual and multidimensional rather than a sharp rise.
- professional
surge
when a strong sudden rise occurs over a short period
not when A surge may recede quickly, while soaring can continue.
Said against
4- plummet
- descend
- collapse
- stagnate
It naturally appears in
4- soar above
Kites began to soar above the dunes at noon.
- soar through the air
The rescued bird was soon strong enough to soar through the air.
- prices soar
Housing prices soar when supply cannot follow demand.
- confidence soar
Seeing her design work helped her confidence soar.
Where this comes from
The figurative sense is often used without a number. Add the measure and time period when accuracy matters.
- wiktionary, English verb, fly high in the air sense opens in a new tab for meaning 1 · retrieved 2026-07-26
- wiktionary, English verb, rise rapidly figurative sense opens in a new tab for meaning 2 · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.