flee

verb

fled ˈfled How to pronounce flee (audio) ; fleeing
Synonyms of fleenext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to run away often from danger or evil : fly
The family fled from the war-torn zone.
b
: to hurry toward a place of security
Refugees fled to a neighboring country.
c
law : to evade arrest, detention, or prosecution
2
: to pass away swiftly : vanish
mists fleeing before the rising sun

transitive verb

: to run away from
fled the scene of the accident
Many people fled the city to escape the fighting.

Examples of flee in a Sentence

The family fled from Nazi Germany to Britain in 1936. He was accused of trying to flee the scene of the accident. Many people fled the city to escape the fighting. He was forced to flee the country.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The complaint indicates the Federal Bureau of Investigation believes Le fled to Vietnam to avoid consequences in the United States after the shooting. Sierra Van Der Brug, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026 As people fled, government forces closed off the main exits of the market toward the street and directly shot at people trying to flee the flames, Saman said. Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026 The man then fled the fast-food establishment, but he was quickly tracked down by a K-9. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026 The Somali refugees who began coming to the Twin Cities in the early 1990s did so with the help of religious organizations and churches, especially Lutheran and Catholic parishes, that have a history of welcoming people fleeing war and famine. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flee

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flen, from Old English flēon; akin to Old High German fliohan to flee

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of flee was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flee. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

flee

verb
fled ˈfled How to pronounce flee (audio) ; fleeing
1
a
: to run away often from danger or evil : fly
b
: to run away from : shun
2
: to pass away swiftly : vanish
the mist fled before the rising sun

More from Merriam-Webster on flee

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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