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
Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 June 2025
The plane that crashed on June 12 flew for the first time in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014, Flightradar24 said.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Robeson Bailey, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2025
Furthermore, their droppings attracted flies and generated noxious odors, which fouled the otherwise refreshing Mackinac air.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
On July 16, 1999, Kennedy and Bessette died in a plane crash when JFK Jr. was flying his wife, and her sister, Lauren, from New Jersey en route to Martha's Vineyard.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 June 2025
The plane that crashed on June 12 flew for the first time in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014, Flightradar24 said.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Noun
Then the current got it, and the fly began its drift.
—Robeson Bailey, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2025
Furthermore, their droppings attracted flies and generated noxious odors, which fouled the otherwise refreshing Mackinac air.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
Police helicopters hovered as marchers wove between vehicles.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2025
-
There’s also more heightened genre elements, including explosions, gun fights and a mysterious corporate private plane hovering over the desert.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Set in a vibey, transportive space that feels straight out of a Dubai or Beirut hotspot, Laya serves up a Sunday brunch escape… with a generous mouthful of garlic.—
Chelsea Frank,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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Heat escapes its atmosphere so quickly that, were one to stand at its equator at noon with skin exposed — not a great idea!—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
The pair, while traveling east in a 2020 Honda that was negotiating a curve, crossed the centerline into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a 2015 Ford traveling west, according to a State Police report.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
16 June 2025
-
Rent a car or take advantage of Europe’s superb train service to travel from small city to city at your leisure.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Jurors found Read not guilty of murder, manslaughter and fleeing a deadly accident in a trial that stretched on for more than 30 days of testimony and four days of deliberations.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
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The legislation comes as the country grapples with a severe demographic crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing war with Russia, which has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee abroad.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
But over the last few decades many have disappeared.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
17 June 2025
-
When Solutions acquired the property for program participants, crime disappeared.—
Paul C Webster,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
First up is Kristen Doute, who continues to shock me with each passing day as the voice of reason in this cast.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
-
The changes were included in a broader education bill passed Monday.—
Jim Saunders,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Waves of newcomers showing up to canvass events has become a trend, especially in recent weeks, according to his team.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
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Candidates have a five-day window to file election challenges in court after the state canvass.—
Sasha Hupka,
The Arizona Republic,
5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Our ruling The Republican Party of Juneau County claimed on Facebook that planes full of unvetted refugees were being accepted to the Milwaukee and Madison airports.—
Sophie Carson,
Journal Sentinel,
3 July 2024
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All this culminates in a debut album, Addison, that planes down contemporary pop influences into an ooze of familiarity, faintly evoking innovations in underground and alternative music without stepping out of its playlist-friendly lane.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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