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
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
-
In a separate attack, his brother was killed in front of him; two of his siblings have disappeared and are still missing.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
But as production costs rose and financing grew more risk-averse, those ambitious historical spectacles gradually disappeared from the big screen, replaced by smaller auteur dramas, comedies and internationally portable genre films.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
13 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
-
For more than 40 days, the former Venezuelan police officers said, two of their colleagues simply vanished inside El Helicoide.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
-
Around 13 years after Madeleine vanished without a trace, German prosecutors named Christian Brueckner as a suspect in her disappearance.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
When the final notes faded, the audience erupted.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
-
As the May 4 victory vibes in the Royals’ clubhouse faded toward facing the next day, Jac Caglianone stood in front of his locker in the dwindling room, processing the night and some last questions.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Though how Kiffin bolted Ole Miss for LSU, walking out when his team was on the verge of competing for a national championship, seemed to epitomize the larger tensions.—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
-
Surveillance video shows the pair tried to steal the ATM, which is bolted to the floor inside, before giving up.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
What wasn’t in the plan was that Durkin, who’s also a baseball player for the Eagles, would suffer a minor groin injury running the bases during Monday’s 7-6 win over Homewood-Flossmoor.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Kelly, a four-year starter for South Lake, showed his ability to run the football and gained over 60 yards in the first game.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fled. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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