flee

verb

\ 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

Her brother had to flee the country with his family. — Michele Aboud, Glamour, "Saudi Arabia Was the Last Place in the World to Allow Women to Drive. Manal al-Sharif Helped Change That.," 5 Nov. 2018 Because there’s nothing more fun than having to flee your own home. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Do Women Have to Do to Be Believed?," 20 Sep. 2018 The now-outspoken human rights activist currently lives in Madrid, Spain, with his immediate family – all of whom also had to flee their country. — Hollie Mckay, Fox News, "Venezuelan opposition leader laments "genocide" in his country, reveals his escape from detainment," 18 Sep. 2018 Families who enter the U.S. to flee violence and seek protection are criminalized, traumatized, and dehumanized. — Alexandra Robbins, Marie Claire, "The Welcome Committee," 15 Aug. 2018 Dima has fled to London after his latest brilliant scheme has gone bust. — New York Times, "Struggling to Love, Work and Do the Right Thing in Putin’s Russia," 9 July 2018 Honduras has made considerable strides in creating an environment that people don’t have to flee. — Jim Wyss, miamiherald, "U.S. immigration hard-line spurs some would-be migrants in Honduras to think twice," 8 July 2018 Since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico last fall, FEMA has spent more than $84 million on temporary lodging for people who had to flee. — J.d. Capelouto, BostonGlobe.com, "Federal judge in Mass. temporarily extends housing program for Hurricane Maria evacuees," 1 July 2018 The amount of money the division oversees shrank however as investors fled turbulent stock and bond markets for the safety of cash. — Liz Hoffman, WSJ, "Morgan Stanley Earnings Fall Short as Trading Hampers Results," 17 Jan. 2019

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.