1
as in to hover
to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings
the Wright brothers realized mankind's age-old wish to fly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
you must fly to safety immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to travel
to proceed or move quickly
flew down the concourse to catch his flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to flee
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
no one in the movies ever thinks to fly from the ax murderer and immediately call the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to disappear
to cease to be visible
the morning mist had flown, and a sparkling sea lay before us
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to pass
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the familiar "Because I said so!" is a reason that won't fly with most teenagers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
Integrity’s space toilet—the first ever to fly on a lunar mission—has, for lack of better terms, pooped out periodically throughout the mission, forcing the crew to use backup collapsible plastic urine containers for relief.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Every bit of it was on the fly, pure trial and error.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
His quest to fly causes troubles in his family, condemnation from the conservative society and even warnings from the security personnel in the city as flying in Diyarbakir is a security concern for the state.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
Integrity’s space toilet—the first ever to fly on a lunar mission—has, for lack of better terms, pooped out periodically throughout the mission, forcing the crew to use backup collapsible plastic urine containers for relief.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
But that moment when your internet is too slow for gaming, your laptop is too laggy for your creativity, or your TV sounds like a buzzing fly is when all the fun ends, and the stress begins.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Every bit of it was on the fly, pure trial and error.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
Numbers began to skyrocket around the time of the Artemis II launch on April 1st, peaking at around 12,434 at time of writing— a huge jump against the game's standard average player count, which hovers around 3,000 to 4,000.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Oil prices are still hovering just below $100 per barrel as a shaky ceasefire in Iran goes into effect, but there’s a long road ahead even if the war concludes.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the third inning Rocker was faced with runners on the corners with Spencer Steer up to bat with two outs, and Rocker retired the left fielder in three pitches, ending with a ground out to third base to escape the inning with no damage.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Angels reliever Chase Silseth escaped a two-on, no-out jam in the seventh.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Under-4s are also welcome to use the Kids Only facilities with adult supervision, and all kinds of baby products and equipment are provided so parents can travel light.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
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Police said it was believed the driver initiated the right turn and hit the bicyclist, a 69-year-old man from Joliet, believed to have been traveling eastbound on the sidewalk on the south side of West Jefferson Street and had entered the roadway to cross Springfield Avenue.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One occupant fled outside, while the other tried to fight the blaze, the department said.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
This reform hasn’t fixed California’s cost-of-living issues or kept people from fleeing.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The deputy gang narrative was a political campaign created to discredit my administration, never used during the McDonnell era, and mysteriously disappeared during the current administration.—
Opinion Staff,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Predators disappeared, resulting in an explosion in deer, further degrading the woodlands and peatlands.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, smaller trucking companies do not always have the ability to pass those costs on to customers without risking losing business.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
City Council passed an ordinance in 2019 banning new mini-storage facilities and auto service shops on a section of Stockton Boulevard.—
ANNIKA MERRILEES,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The show uses oil-on-canvas matte paintings, paintbrush strokes on glass panes, and even live-action, practical models for some of the spaceships.—
Rafael Motamayor,
IndieWire,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Big Chief Demond and his wife Alicia, meticulous as surgeons, sew beads the size of chia seeds on a canvas and stitch rhinestones in place with dental floss — painting with beads — making artwork for his suit.—
Nichole Marks,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Lexington businessman Nate Morris and former Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the other two Republican Senate race frontrunners, are also planing to be in attendance.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Mar. 2026
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Conditions will remain dangerous through the weekend, and people need to plane carefully and be conservative when selecting terrain, according to the CAIC.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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