freewheel

/ˈfriˌwil/
verb
  1. To ride a bicycle or other vehicle without pedaling or using power, allowing momentum to carry it forward.
    • The cyclist chose to freewheel for a while to rest his legs.
    • On the long descent, he decided to freewheel and enjoy the breeze.
    • She let the bike freewheel down the gentle hill.
  2. To act or move without restraint, control, or a fixed plan; to go with the flow.
    • The project started with a strict schedule, but soon they began to freewheel and adapt.
    • Instead of following a strict itinerary, they chose to freewheel and explore the city spontaneously.
    • After finishing his exams, he decided to freewheel through the summer.
Antonyms
noun
  1. A device in a bicycle or other mechanism that allows the wheel to turn freely without driving the pedals or engine.
    • She replaced the old freewheel with a new one for better coasting.
    • A broken freewheel can make pedaling feel jerky.
    • The freewheel on his bike needed oiling to spin smoothly.