1
as in to disappear
to cease to be visible
the fog fled with the arrival of the dawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
a murderer who fled on foot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to retreat
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 flee
Sol, his two brothers, two sisters and their widowed father, Marcus Brachman, were among several Jewish families who fled Jakobstadt, Latvia, in 1905 and followed one another from the Russian Empire to southeastern Ohio.
—
Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2025
Over the course of the past four years since the Taliban took control of Kabul, plunging Afghanistan into a humanitarian crisis and stripping away women's rights, millions of Afghans who initially fled have now been expelled from Iran and Pakistan, according to the United Nations.
—Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2025
Pendergast approached the vehicle, and after a short interaction, the driver of the blue SUV fled in his vehicle.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Aug. 2025
Many are younger women serving in the military’s communications, administrative and anti-aircraft artillery sectors, said Lee, who has interviewed many North Korean refugees who fled the country.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flee
Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2025
Over the course of the past four years since the Taliban took control of Kabul, plunging Afghanistan into a humanitarian crisis and stripping away women's rights, millions of Afghans who initially fled have now been expelled from Iran and Pakistan, according to the United Nations.
—Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2025
Pendergast approached the vehicle, and after a short interaction, the driver of the blue SUV fled in his vehicle.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Aug. 2025
Many are younger women serving in the military’s communications, administrative and anti-aircraft artillery sectors, said Lee, who has interviewed many North Korean refugees who fled the country.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flee
Verb
-
Since then, that offensive production has all but disappeared.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Silhouette’s Atelier line takes the cat-eye into ethereal territory with a silhouette that lifts the face and disappears on it.—
Dan Michel,
Robb Report,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Both eateries are open to the public, making this a great place to escape from the heat of the day while peeking inside the incredible interior of this historic building.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
What does this have to do with the series’ opening scene, in which nurse Melvin (Dan Fogler, whose recognizability counts as an early spoiler) escapes from a burning apartment, unable to save his mother?—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Previous to Trump’s statement, four former directors of Intel published a commentary exclusive to Fortune, saying the company was likely to retreat as America’s chips champion.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Aug. 2025
-
But in peacetime, the nation often retreats into suspicion: frowning on success, moaning about profit, and wrapping ambition in red tape.—
London Business School,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Seventeen children vanish at exactly 2:17 a.m., leaving behind only one boy — Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher).—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
That funding — which totaled more than $250 million for the state, including about $192 million from Baldwin — vanished earlier this year after Congress passed a continuing resolution that did not include the earmarks.—
Lawrence Andrea,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The rumble of the engines set off car alarms in the distance as ULA opened up its national security account for Vulcan, making only its third ever launch after flying two certification flights in 2024.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The next phase in the investigation will include interviewing employees and flying in experts, officials said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The company is already expanding eastward, and backlash over the CEO’s address will fade quickly.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The story of Elvis’ rise and fall hasn’t faded from the public imagination, proving irresistible to filmmakers like Sofia Coppola and Baz Luhrmann.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The companies that lead in the decades ahead won't simply bolt AI onto existing workflows.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Neighbors and businesses bolted their doors and watched anxiously from behind curtains as police swarmed the streets.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The series ran for 11 seasons, beginning in 2010 until its final episode in 2022.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Lawmakers could adjust the boundaries so that the 1st District runs further south into Newton and Jasper, both counties that Trump won by more than 50 percentage points in 2024.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flee. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share