1
as in to hover
to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings
the Wright brothers realized mankind's age-old wish to fly
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2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
you must fly to safety immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to travel
to proceed or move quickly
flew down the concourse to catch his flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to flee
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
no one in the movies ever thinks to fly from the ax murderer and immediately call the police
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to disappear
to cease to be visible
the morning mist had flown, and a sparkling sea lay before us
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to pass
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the familiar "Because I said so!" is a reason that won't fly with most teenagers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Ben Standig, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
SeaWorld Orlando delays Expedition Odyssey ride’s debut by a week
Previews for the flying theater-style attraction also were pushed back.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025
Adam Levine, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Plus, the faux fly detailing gives the pants a sophisticated flair that can easily be dressed up or down.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
Conerly and several family members flew from Seattle to the other Washington.
—Ben Standig, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
SeaWorld Orlando delays Expedition Odyssey ride’s debut by a week
Previews for the flying theater-style attraction also were pushed back.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
Your brain is wired to imagine bold futures (prefrontal cortex), pursue meaningful challenge (dopamine), adapt on the fly (neuroplasticity) and thrive on uncertainty (evolutionary reward circuits).
—Adam Levine, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Plus, the faux fly detailing gives the pants a sophisticated flair that can easily be dressed up or down.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
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In contrast, Trump, who Forbes estimates has a net worth hovering around $5 billion, has surrounded himself with other billionaires, appointing several of them to the wealthiest presidential cabinet in U.S. history.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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How the infection can be stopped Take a look at the tuberculosis numbers in Florida and the rest of the U.S. by hovering over each state.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2025
Verb
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While they were gone, the tiny dog escaped and sprinted off into the wilderness.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Apr. 2025
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Behind the Tigers’ strong start is Gleyber Torres’ subtle leadership Cade Cunningham, Pistons can’t escape growing pains that come with NBA playoffs Colton Pouncy is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Detroit Lions.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Any adult who plans to travel around the country this summer, or any time after the enforcement deadline, must have a REAL ID or another federally compliant identification document in order to avoid delays.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Looking back on it, the name has traveled far: to the NFL, to a pinnacle of American sports.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Six months later, in May 2024, CNN published footage from a security camera at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles showing Ventura fleeing a room, only to be attacked by Combs, who is seen wearing a white towel around his waist and socks.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
2 May 2025
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The pair then flee into the building’s stairwell, but a wounded, knife-wielding Jimenez follows hot on their tails and another struggle ensues that ends as the victim succumbs to his wounds.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Much of the production that Boston typically counts on disappeared.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Some bumblebee populations have been disappearing from the southern parts of their geographic range and have been found in cooler regions to the north and in more mountainous areas.—
Courtney McGinnis,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The issue became a flashpoint for the Justice Department in March, when Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer refused to add Gibson to a pilot program that had whittled a list of 95 non-violent offenders down to nine who had passed rigorous FBI background checks.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Hobbs, a Democrat, will have final say on the bills, which did not pass with veto-proof majorities.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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These municipalities also must conduct their canvass on election night, not the Monday after the election like other localities.—
Maia Pandey,
Journal Sentinel,
31 Oct. 2024
-
While early voting and mail-in ballots received before Election Day are processed and posted on election night, vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day, along with provisional ballots, are counted during the official canvass period within 30 days after the election.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Erect blackberries like 'Navaho' can be planed in traditional rows or grown as a hedge.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2025
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Although planed and sanded to prevent splinters, the barnwood has a natural, untreated appearance for a casual wood kitchen cabinet color and finish.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
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