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
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Recent Examples of fled
Authorities said Husien then carjacked another vehicle at gunpoint and fled north toward San Jose.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
In February 2024, three people were shot dead by gunmen – one who arrived and fled aboard a boat – in Acapulco.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Many families with means fled districts that kept children out of classrooms for extended periods, enrolling in private schools that found ways to remain open safely.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Initial police reports noted that a blue BMW X6 with New York plates and a silver Mercedes-Benz GLS with Michigan plates fled the scene shortly after gunfire rang out.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The president eventually fled on a military aircraft to Hungary.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
The passenger in a suspect vehicle that briefly fled from Costa Mesa police in January 2025 was killed after the driver crashed into a power pole at Santa Ana Avenue and 22nd Street.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
More than 700,000 Azerbaijanis fled Armenia and Karabakh, and 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled the region in the autumn of 2023 after Azerbaijan reacquired the territory.
—Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security says the man fled officers in a vehicle but crashed into a parked car and then took off on foot.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
In February 2024, three people were shot dead by gunmen – one who arrived and fled aboard a boat – in Acapulco.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Many families with means fled districts that kept children out of classrooms for extended periods, enrolling in private schools that found ways to remain open safely.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Initial police reports noted that a blue BMW X6 with New York plates and a silver Mercedes-Benz GLS with Michigan plates fled the scene shortly after gunfire rang out.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The president eventually fled on a military aircraft to Hungary.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
The passenger in a suspect vehicle that briefly fled from Costa Mesa police in January 2025 was killed after the driver crashed into a power pole at Santa Ana Avenue and 22nd Street.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
More than 700,000 Azerbaijanis fled Armenia and Karabakh, and 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled the region in the autumn of 2023 after Azerbaijan reacquired the territory.
—Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security says the man fled officers in a vehicle but crashed into a parked car and then took off on foot.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fled
Verb
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Our waiter brought a generous tray of olives and celery sticks to the table and then disappeared for a long while.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Austin police are searching for a third missing elderly man this week, as detectives warn that health concerns and incoming winter weather could increase the risk to those who have disappeared.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After racing out to a 4-0 lead in the first two periods, off the strength of three goals in 54 seconds in the first period, the Bruins survived by their fingernails a third-period push from the Vegas Golden Knights and escaped TD Garden with a 4-3 victory.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Troops on Monday seized a prison in the northeastern town of Shaddadeh, where some IS detainees escaped and many were recaptured, state media reported.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The victim retreated into the gym, and the suspect left the scene, according to police.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
No longer a complete unknown wrapped in the Bob Dylan mystique, Chalamet has energized a balky awards circuit whose stars and filmmakers years ago had retreated from the rigors of self-promotion, with some still preferring to avoid it.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Specialized districts, from meatpacking to printing, didn’t disappear because demand vanished.—
Parin Moradiya,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Prices of basic goods like cooking oil and chicken dramatically spiked overnight, and some products vanished all together.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Oh, how quickly the solidarity of war had faded—the only good thing those bitter years had brought to light.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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But Jewish artist Nina Sanadze saw a chance to immortalize the bouquets, even as their petals faded and decomposed.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Vladislav Gavrikov, who bolted in free agency over the summer, returned to his old stomping grounds for the first time and picked up an assist for his new team and an unwelcome one for his former cohorts as well.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
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Reynolds scored 16 of his 22 points in the first quarter as Martin bolted out to a 29-2 lead after one and led 45-13 at halftime.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hours after her murder, Wilson encountered Ruiz and persuaded her to get into his vehicle under false pretenses, and then killed her before running her over multiple times and abandoning her body in a nearby field, per Gulf Coast News Now.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
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Wind chill temperatures may drop to below zero from time to time in many communities running from Friday through Sunday morning.—
Dave Aguilera,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fled. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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