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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of flies
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Back at Mill Creek Park, amid a crowd of protesters taking a breather after the march, one demonstrator flies a kite.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
The highlight of the mission will likely be the few-hour period when Artemis 2 flies around the back side of the moon, at a distance as close as 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers).
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2026
The inspector found moldy food in the walk-in cooler, drain flies in the dry storage area and insecticide stored on a shelf near some clean dishes.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Brendan Stewart of Waukegan earned his pilot’s license 11 years ago, purchased a single-engine, two-seat plane, and flies it out of Waukegan National Airport.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Because the energy flies away, this means the black hole must be losing mass.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Their flowers smell like rotting meat, attracting beetles and flies to pollinate them.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
Amedee makes good contact, but the ball flies right into Cotton's glove.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Banish flies from your home this spring with this easy-to-use insect trap.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Back at Mill Creek Park, amid a crowd of protesters taking a breather after the march, one demonstrator flies a kite.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
The highlight of the mission will likely be the few-hour period when Artemis 2 flies around the back side of the moon, at a distance as close as 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers).
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2026
The inspector found moldy food in the walk-in cooler, drain flies in the dry storage area and insecticide stored on a shelf near some clean dishes.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Brendan Stewart of Waukegan earned his pilot’s license 11 years ago, purchased a single-engine, two-seat plane, and flies it out of Waukegan National Airport.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Because the energy flies away, this means the black hole must be losing mass.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Their flowers smell like rotting meat, attracting beetles and flies to pollinate them.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
Amedee makes good contact, but the ball flies right into Cotton's glove.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flies
Verb
-
The average for 3-point shooting, pro and college, hovers around 35%.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
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The specter of October 7, 2023, hovers over the movie, as does the aftermath that’s left thousands more dead.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her grim discovery ensures Toya will meet the same fate, and in the last episode, as the murderer escapes through the window, Hole discovers the killer’s final victim in the bathroom, tied by her neck to the shower.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
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At the best Iceland Airbnbs, nature is the number one amenity, but city escapes offer plenty of perks too.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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The stinger on the scene, where Katie flees and Greg mistakenly gets caught peeping on two girls smooching, is good for some giggles.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
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Seemingly a united front, Michaela agrees to stay in London upon Francesca’s request, but secretly flees in the finale.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Under certain conditions, the distinction between them disappears entirely.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
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The gap between data and action is where AI value disappears.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Allen’s hummingbirds are year-round residents in Southern California but the rufous is a rarer visitor that passes through during spring and fall migrations while traveling between winter homes in Mexico to as far north as Alaska in the summer.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Instead, if this bill passes, families would have to drive to a breeder, probably many hours away, or even travel out of state.—
Ed Sayres,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are bodies made from scrap metal, bodies pierced with tentacles and affixed with screens for nipples and eyes, bodies broken down for parts, and walls lined with images of skin.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Trump’s image will be a feature of the exterior of the building, with jumbo video screens showing his face in the footage.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His death now leaves a void at home and at school.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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While Fisher’s athleticism leaves a lot to be desired, his high IQ and ability to diagnose from the middle make up for athletic limitations with an extra step on breaking up an offensive rhythm.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flies. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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