1
as in hovers
to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings
the Wright brothers realized mankind's age-old wish to fly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in escapes
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
you must fly to safety immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scurries
to proceed or move quickly
flew down the concourse to catch his flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in flees
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in disappears
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 passes
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the familiar "Because I said so!" is a reason that won't fly with most teenagers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of flies
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
But, Wiseman stressed, the blame doesn't lie with the toilet itself, which is a more compact version of the loo that flies on the International Space Station.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
The former Miss Tennessee, who appeared in Esquire magazine and numerous Southwest ads, still flies with the company today.
—The Oklahoman, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Even when one gag flies past, three more follow immediately that do.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Seahawk flies overhead as small boats approach Orion spacecraft after splashdown.
—Miles Doran, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Remove Fallen Fruit Fruit flies like to feed on rotting fruit and berries from trees and bushes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Sonic booms sound like loud, thunderous bangs and occur when an aircraft or spacecraft flies overhead faster than the speed of sound.
—Tom Costello, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Bill Moorehouse, a solutions director who flies for work every four to six weeks, said the uncertainty may keep him closer to home for now.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
The bee that flies alone gets swatted, or at least turned into a necklace at some rich lady’s garden party.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
But, Wiseman stressed, the blame doesn't lie with the toilet itself, which is a more compact version of the loo that flies on the International Space Station.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
The former Miss Tennessee, who appeared in Esquire magazine and numerous Southwest ads, still flies with the company today.
—The Oklahoman, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Even when one gag flies past, three more follow immediately that do.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Seahawk flies overhead as small boats approach Orion spacecraft after splashdown.
—Miles Doran, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Remove Fallen Fruit Fruit flies like to feed on rotting fruit and berries from trees and bushes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Sonic booms sound like loud, thunderous bangs and occur when an aircraft or spacecraft flies overhead faster than the speed of sound.
—Tom Costello, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Bill Moorehouse, a solutions director who flies for work every four to six weeks, said the uncertainty may keep him closer to home for now.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flies
Verb
-
Around his head hovers a cluster of disembodied faces — creepy alt-Altmans, their expressions ranging from anger to open-mouthed woe.—
Cath Virginia,
The Verge,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Numbers began to skyrocket around the time of the Artemis II launch on April 1st, peaking at around 12,434 at time of writing— a huge jump against the game's standard average player count, which hovers around 3,000 to 4,000.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Austin escapes the clinic through the ceiling and calls Eunice from a cab to the police station.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The moving drama revolves on a young boy, the film’s titular character, who escapes the bombing of his southern Iranian village in which his family is killed.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The way Radcliffe scurries out of his chair and into the green room to meet Liu illustrates her visceral impact.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Bridgerton fans can spot the Old Royal Naval College mostly throughout season 2, like when a paperboy scurries across the grounds to deliver the latest gossip from Lady Whistledown in the first episode.—
Kayla Keegan,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Following a violent outburst from Robert, Nancy gets in her car and flees in the last scene of the episode.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Mother Mary casts Hathaway as the title character, who was previously described as a Lady Gaga-meets-Swift hybrid who flees a tour and winds up seeking out an old friend and fashion designer (Michaela Coel) who helped shape her public persona.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The pic, which cost $22M net with 30% Irish tax credits, follows the young daughter of a journalist who disappears into the desert without a trace.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
-
But when Al-Hashimi disappears to consult with the neurologist on call, why not show us any of that interaction?—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Of particular concern is the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway off Iran, where more than 20% of the world's oil supply normally passes.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade normally passes through the strait, and the global energy crisis threatened to deepen as the war is now in its eighth week.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Threes while curling off screens or taking handoffs from teammates are routine for the NBA’s leading three-point shooter.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters in Tokyo that the government had established an emergency task force, and television screens flashed warnings for people in Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures to evacuate.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That leaves only right-hander Jacob Webb and left-handers Hoby Milner and Caleb Thielbar as veteran relievers for Counsell.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
That leaves Washington at a strange juncture, with widespread agreement among lawmakers that something should be done to address the issue of prediction markets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flies. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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