1
as in disappeared
to cease to be visible
the fog fled with the arrival of the dawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in escaped
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
a murderer who fled on foot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in retreated
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
a toddler who fled when the ladybug he had been quietly watching suddenly began flying around the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of fled
Tanya Veluz fled the Eaton Fire with her 10-year-old as ash and embers rained down.
—
Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Refugees fled south as communist troops stormed down Highway 1, heading for the nation’s capital, Saigon.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
For Hiba and Ibrahim, who had fled ethnic violence in Sudan and were living as refugees with their children in Jordan, the news was devastating.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
According to police, the vehicle then fled the scene without stopping.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Investigators say Jose Castellon Jimenez fled the United States the same day his wife’s body was discovered.
—Gershon Harrell, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Arias fled the building without warning anyone, according to a police source.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Ryan’s wife fled their home in Bel Air, Maryland – some 20 miles outside Baltimore – and went to MacMeekin’s home nearby, where the couple’s two children were already spending the night, the documents say.
—Mark Morales, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Instead of stopping to help, detectives say that the driver fled from the area towards the 10 Freeway.
—CBS News, 14 May 2026
Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Refugees fled south as communist troops stormed down Highway 1, heading for the nation’s capital, Saigon.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
For Hiba and Ibrahim, who had fled ethnic violence in Sudan and were living as refugees with their children in Jordan, the news was devastating.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
According to police, the vehicle then fled the scene without stopping.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Investigators say Jose Castellon Jimenez fled the United States the same day his wife’s body was discovered.
—Gershon Harrell, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Arias fled the building without warning anyone, according to a police source.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Ryan’s wife fled their home in Bel Air, Maryland – some 20 miles outside Baltimore – and went to MacMeekin’s home nearby, where the couple’s two children were already spending the night, the documents say.
—Mark Morales, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Instead of stopping to help, detectives say that the driver fled from the area towards the 10 Freeway.
—CBS News, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fled
Verb
-
After it was announced in 2019 that the project’s release date had been moved to 2021, Sherlock Holmes 3 disappeared from the studio’s slate.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
-
The 12-year search for answers has concluded for the family of Trukita Scott, a mother of two who suddenly disappeared in 2014.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Stray bits of hair escaped my ponytail and stung my eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
The injured duckling was treated at a veterinary clinic while the other ducklings escaped the area with the mother duck.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the last four years, carriers have retreated from the state entirely or have paused writing new policies.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
In an attempt to spark inspiration for a new Little Death origin story, Kris pays a visit to the present-day Billy, played by a regal, knowing Gillian Anderson, who retreated from public life after that first installment and whom Kris hopes to persuade to appear in her reboot.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Four swing districts vanished after Florida’s latest round of redistricting in April.—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Rescuers located the bodies of four Italian divers deep inside an underwater cave in the Maldives, days after the group vanished during a dangerous dive far beyond recreational limits, Italy’s Foreign Ministry said Monday.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
While Ingram faded, Barnes shone in the playoffs.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
That one afternoon’s momentary shame soon faded, but the belief that to be sick is a personal failure has much broader consequences.—
Tom Levenson,
Time,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The company contrasts this with many other AI assistants, which are often bolted onto existing tools.—
Ellen Sheng,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
As soon as the friend left the room, Panettiere bolted.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
International visitors will undoubtedly flock to run the famous Rocky steps, before taking a bite of one of the city’s iconic cheesesteaks at Geno’s.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
The desire for immortality is really a desire for liberation from the claustrophobia of our own minds, not a physiological discovery about how to keep our bodies running longer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fled. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
