flee

verb

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\ ˈflē

fled\ ˈfled

\; fleeing

Definition of flee

intransitive verb

1a : 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.

2 : to pass away swiftly : vanish mists fleeing before the rising sun

transitive verb

: to run away from : shun Many people fled the city to escape the fighting.

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About flee

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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 In California, the Dixie Fire became the second largest in the state's history, while the Caldor Fire forced thousands to flee from South Lake Tahoe in late August. — NBC News, 9 Sep. 2021 The monstrous blaze forced thousands of residents in the city of South Lake Tahoe to flee last week as the fire was closing in on the popular resort area. — Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 8 Sep. 2021 And lawmakers should devise a customized immigration status for those forced to flee the Taliban in the wake of the abrupt American departure from Afghanistan. — Michael Posner, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2021 The Soviet Union had dissolved, and Tajikistan had fallen into a five-year civil war that left thousands dead and forced many more to flee the country. — Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2021 Residents who were forced to flee South Lake Tahoe earlier this week remained evacuated along with people across the state line in Douglas County, Nevada. — Sam Metz And Janie Har, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2021 Residents who were forced to flee South Lake Tahoe earlier this week remained evacuated along with people across the state line in Douglas County, Nevada. — Sam Metz And Janie Har, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2021 Residents who were forced to flee South Lake Tahoe earlier this week remained evacuated along with people across the state line in Douglas County, Nevada. — Fox News, 3 Sep. 2021 Thousands were forced to flee the region’s largest city, South Lake Tahoe. — BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.