1
as in to disappear
to cease to be visible
the fog fled with the arrival of the dawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flee
Several tankers fled the Venezuelan coast in the wake of the raid.
—
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026
The driver exited the vehicle, fired more shots and fled on foot.
—The Sacramento Bee, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The Guadalupe Centers opened in 1919 for thousands of Mexicans, Medina said, who largely either were recruited by railroads to work here or fled to Kansas City after the Mexican Revolution in 1910.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Martinez allegedly stole the homeowner's phone and bank card before punching him and fleeing the scene, police said.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flee
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026
The driver exited the vehicle, fired more shots and fled on foot.
—The Sacramento Bee, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The Guadalupe Centers opened in 1919 for thousands of Mexicans, Medina said, who largely either were recruited by railroads to work here or fled to Kansas City after the Mexican Revolution in 1910.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Martinez allegedly stole the homeowner's phone and bank card before punching him and fleeing the scene, police said.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flee
Verb
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Hawke, who disappears into the role of Hart, is also nominated for an Academy Award for best actor.—
Trey Williams,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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Other people whose arrests were documented by the detainees committee have disappeared into the prisons.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When approached, such a goose might have made a feeble attempt to escape.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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Dylan Volantis escaped a jam with two consecutive strikeouts to conclude a stellar outing.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Illinois lawmakers recently flirted with a tax on unrealized gains—think of stocks yet to be sold at fluctuating prices that only exist on paper—before retreating.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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Jackson was disinvited from the Grammy Awards telecast the following week and largely retreated from the public spotlight, while Timberlake’s career continued uninterrupted.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Set in southern Patagonia, the six-part series follows Fabiola, a strong-willed detective who investigates the disappearance of a Mexican archaeology student who vanished while seeking the mythical Friendship Island.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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And in 2024, a third colony was created at Powrunna State Forest, representing another expansion in the effort to ensure the species does not vanish entirely.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Eco effort La Sultana Oualidia’s planet-friendly approach prioritizes a dynamic impact on its local environment without ever feeling showy, and many of their most meaningful initiatives may fly under the radar even for guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
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City facilities were lit in blue and red overnight, the city's flag will fly at half-staff all day and three wreaths will be on display at City Hall for 24 hours.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When Dreher wrote The Benedict Option, during the Obama presidency, his primary concern was how to keep faith alive at a time when Christianity seemed to be fading away.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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Relationship endings are possible under this influence — don’t insist on forcing a connection that’s trying to fade.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The high-stakes move is aimed at stopping a half-dozen suburbs from bolting from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
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That moved a number of boaters to bolt to other harbors, including Waukegan, where one official said the Waukegan Port District marina was gaining slip holders with North Point in flux.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Microsoft’s $50 billion investment will, among other things, help to build the data centers crucial to providing the computing power needed to run AI models.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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Moe’s Nuggets ran and dared the rest of the NBA to catch up.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flee. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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