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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 10 June 2026
Ciesco said Arlington police already ban drones from flying over the entertainment district during sporting events, concerts and other large gatherings.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Garrett Downs, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Then on Monday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also reported the first case of the fly in neighboring New Mexico.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
The agency had previously suggested Orion would fly with whichever lander was ready when the time came to launch the mission, even if that meant leaving one behind.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 10 June 2026
Ciesco said Arlington police already ban drones from flying over the entertainment district during sporting events, concerts and other large gatherings.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Noun
The parasite is the larvae of a fly that lays its eggs in open animal wounds.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Then on Monday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also reported the first case of the fly in neighboring New Mexico.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
In 1800, just as the first true vaccine—against smallpox—came into use, life expectancy at birth hovered around thirty years worldwide.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
With an average unit cost hovering around $800,000 for the first three broadcasts of this year’s Finals, Disney is already close to eclipsing last season’s seven-game ad haul, which EDO AdEngage estimates pegged at $288 million.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2026
-
The Padres still needed another bounce to go their way in the eighth when Juan Soto lined into an inning-ending double play with two runners on to allow Jason Adam to escape the eighth unscathed.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
And with roots travel booming, the library’s visitor numbers increased by more than a third between 2022 and 2025.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Your optimism travels farther when your inner base feels steady enough to support it.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
These seven episodes chronicle Louis’s seduction, his tumultuous affair with Lestat, Claudia’s turning, and Louis and Claudia’s attempt to murder their maker and escape a violent home life by fleeing to Europe.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
-
Footage that circulated on social media appeared to capture festivalgoers fleeing from the shots as chaos erupted.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
As America marks the 82nd anniversary of D-Day on Saturday, a group of women whose wartime labor helped sustain the Allied war effort gathered in New Orleans to remember a generation that is rapidly disappearing.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
-
At the Union the meat is still cut in-house and aged on a band saw, a practice Boyd says has all but disappeared elsewhere.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The funding comes from California’s Senate Bill 1 program, the gas tax passed in 2017 that helps cities and counties pay for transportation projects.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
It was closed in 1994 due to deterioration, and Kansas City residents passed a limited-run sales tax to support the building's restoration in 1998.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The Locke works are placed directly above and below a small Albers; inches away from each are examples of minerals, in their own display cases, which, jutting out from the wall, distract lamentably from the canvases.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
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The combination of Seussian Joshua Trees, the moonscape-like desert, the lore of alien encounters, the ghost-town vibes, and the countless kooky artists who went out there and never quite came back is a begging canvas for a trippy weekend with friends.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
On the basketball court, Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler has carved a 14-year career by gliding through space with the melodic flow of an orchestra.—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
-
Ice skating’s governing body is gliding into a presidential election Friday, free of the turmoil that just gripped its Olympic sibling skiing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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