1
as in to disappear
to cease to be visible
the fog fled with the arrival of the dawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
a murderer who fled on foot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
a toddler who fled when the ladybug he had been quietly watching suddenly began flying around the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flee
When a harrowing incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom, and love.
—
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 30 June 2025
Cuomo, pushing back on Mamdani’s proposals, claimed that the tax hikes would prompt many rich people and businesses to flee, thereby undermining the city’s tax base.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Rising gang violence then led thousands of ordinary Salvadorans to flee to the United States.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
The near fatal crash occurred as the NYPD clamped down on cops chasing vehicles fleeing car stops.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for flee
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 30 June 2025
Cuomo, pushing back on Mamdani’s proposals, claimed that the tax hikes would prompt many rich people and businesses to flee, thereby undermining the city’s tax base.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Rising gang violence then led thousands of ordinary Salvadorans to flee to the United States.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
The near fatal crash occurred as the NYPD clamped down on cops chasing vehicles fleeing car stops.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for flee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flee
Verb
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While the boldest headlines tell how people are literally snatched off the streets, are being disappeared to foreign prisons, news that often receives less attention reveals that our civil liberties are also being snatched up, one by one.—
Michael Pfleger,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2025
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The man formerly known as Robert Prevost has somewhat disappeared ...—
Michael Brendan Dougherty,
National Review,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Police on Friday captured one of the New Orleans parish inmates who escaped six weeks ago in a jailbreak Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called the worst in recent state history.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
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Whenever the lovers escape the family’s attention, the lighting designer Isabella Byrd throws deep shadows over their sometimes naked forms, turning their bodies into lubricious, moving Caravaggios.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Many analysts believe Iran will retreat, reassemble its nuclear scientists and rebuild its program.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
24 June 2025
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Groups of demonstrators retreated to nearby streets, only to cut back and regroup near the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Jennifer Kesse, 24, vanished from her Orlando condo complex after leaving for work on the morning of Jan. 24, 2006, stumping both state and federal investigators as authorities raced to catch her abductor.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
6 July 2025
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After the second session, the tumor in my lung vanished.—
Tim Ryan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Passengers flying in the United States at certain airports are no longer required to take off their shoes when going through security lines, according to news outlets including CBS News and The New York Times on Monday.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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After his strike flew past U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese, Jimenez briefly celebrated with his teammates before sitting on the turf at NRG Stadium, pulling out a Mexico jersey with Jota’s name and number (#20), and mimicking playing a video game.—
Martin Rogers,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Sunscreen, chlorine, saltwater, and even rough drying habits can wear down the fabric, leaving colors faded and suits stretched out.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
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The longwear formula is built to resist creasing, fading, and transferring, even in heat and humidity.—
Deanna Pai,
Allure,
4 July 2025
Verb
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And this double-U structure is bolted to a square base that sits on a rotating support for 360-degree horizontal swivel.—
Paul Ridden
June 25,
New Atlas,
25 June 2025
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While legacy automakers outsource software and tech firms try to bolt autonomy onto third-party hardware, Tesla owns the entire autonomy stack.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
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His installation is called The Jewel of Mayfair, and features a carpet that runs the length of the arcade, nearly 560 feet, featuring stones and designs from each chapter of his 50-year career.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
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Trump has set a July 9 deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs, but trade talks have run into obstacles including discussions over duties on farm goods, steel and car parts.—
Jennifer Cunningham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flee. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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