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
Kneeland fled on foot, police reported.
—
Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Knapton is said to have then fired five more shots as the burglary suspects fled, then went back into his home, reloaded, and went back outside again.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The old Helena would have mumbled something under her breath, hectically pressed the call button a few more times, and fled the situation as quickly as possible.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Hsieh was born in Taiwan in 1950, a year after the Kuomintang, until recently China’s ruling party, fled Mao Zedong and the mainland, and set up shop in Taipei.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
After the shah fled, the revolution’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, returned from exile and pursued an anti-American foreign policy that remains today.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Their families fled North, leaving behind their homes, farms and businesses.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Bazyan also fled ahead of onrushing police but was captured a short time later on the American River shore near the American River Bridge.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
From testimony on the ground, those who have fled said that men have been separated from women and children, who are now likely in hiding, but are next in the firing line, Raymond said.
—Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2025
Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Knapton is said to have then fired five more shots as the burglary suspects fled, then went back into his home, reloaded, and went back outside again.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The old Helena would have mumbled something under her breath, hectically pressed the call button a few more times, and fled the situation as quickly as possible.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Hsieh was born in Taiwan in 1950, a year after the Kuomintang, until recently China’s ruling party, fled Mao Zedong and the mainland, and set up shop in Taipei.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
After the shah fled, the revolution’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, returned from exile and pursued an anti-American foreign policy that remains today.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Their families fled North, leaving behind their homes, farms and businesses.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Bazyan also fled ahead of onrushing police but was captured a short time later on the American River shore near the American River Bridge.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
From testimony on the ground, those who have fled said that men have been separated from women and children, who are now likely in hiding, but are next in the firing line, Raymond said.
—Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fled
Verb
-
Aims of the science include learning how the oceans and magnetic field of Venus disappeared, and how plate tectonics changed the terrain.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
After Brown disappeared, the owner of the bakery, Alice Lombardi, told CBS News that customers had come into the store and cried.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Other businesses, including a nearby convention center, restaurant and Ford assembly plant, escaped the blaze.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The mailman paused, checking to see if anyone had noticed or knew the puppy had escaped.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the time since, many have retreated; not just in fashion, but across industries.—
Bella Webb,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Lawrence, once an interview-show staple, has retreated from the spotlight in recent years, choosing her movie roles sparingly and closely guarding her private life.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The film will include exclusive witness testimony, expert forensic analysis, and detailed graphic reconstructions that track the moment the thieves infiltrated the museum’s perimeter and vanished with the priceless treasure.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Phil, Myrtle’s son, who lived out of state, became alarmed when a concerned neighbor later notified him that his mother had vanished.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Just as the story of the Valbanera has faded away, so has awareness of how Canary Islanders have affected the history of Latin America and the United States.—
Raul A. Reyes,
NBC news,
5 Nov. 2025
-
In time, the spotlight faded again, and Game's life continued on.—
Brian Brant,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
San Juan Hills bolted to a 6-0 lead in the third set and, with Hodges scoring on kills and blocks, went on to its 25-11 win to go ahead in sets 2-1.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In Van Horn, ninety miles southwest of Pecos, the shelter consisted of four outdoor cages bolted to a concrete pad.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both have spent heavily in the transfer market this year — City around £180million in January and a further £220m in the summer, Liverpool just short of £450m this summer — but very few of the incoming players have hit the ground running.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The venue will run limited weekday hours, with longer sessions on weekends.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fled. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share