1
as in hovers
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
Relevance
2
as in escapes
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
you must fly to safety immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scurries
to proceed or move quickly
flew down the concourse to catch his flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in flees
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in disappears
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 passes
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 flies
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
The 20-minute ride with Balloons Over Rum flies high above terrain once traversed by Bedouins and used as a backdrop for films like The Martian.
—Essence, 28 Oct. 2025
The airline flies passengers and cargo to destinations throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, including cities like New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston and Atlanta.
—Chase Jordan
october 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
My mother-in-law, who flies in from out of town, even helps out.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
The butterfly is called Iryna’s Azure and mainly flies in April in South Carolina.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The defense flies around, hitting with ferocity.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
Alaska is the fifth largest US airline and flies 44 million passengers each year to 120 destinations in five countries, accoring to its website.
—Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The notion that Tyler cultivated an audience of white incels flies in the face of the many Black fans that Odd Future had at the very beginning.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
The 420,000-pound pole flies a 70-by-140-foot American flag that spans 9,800 square feet and weighs 250 pounds.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
The 20-minute ride with Balloons Over Rum flies high above terrain once traversed by Bedouins and used as a backdrop for films like The Martian.
—Essence, 28 Oct. 2025
The airline flies passengers and cargo to destinations throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, including cities like New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston and Atlanta.
—Chase Jordan
october 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
My mother-in-law, who flies in from out of town, even helps out.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
The butterfly is called Iryna’s Azure and mainly flies in April in South Carolina.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The defense flies around, hitting with ferocity.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
Alaska is the fifth largest US airline and flies 44 million passengers each year to 120 destinations in five countries, accoring to its website.
—Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The notion that Tyler cultivated an audience of white incels flies in the face of the many Black fans that Odd Future had at the very beginning.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flies
Verb
-
Out back, there’s a covered engawa, a traditional Japanese porch that hovers slightly off the ground.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
31 Oct. 2025
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Europe’s central bank is expected to hold rates steady in October as inflation hovers around its 2% target.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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From the earliest pioneering expeditions and nighttime escapes from bondage to the modern-day road trip, Americans are a people on the move – restless, ambitious and innovative.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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Fringilla escapes her captors, weaker but no less determined, and rescues Istredd from his cell.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The older dog is shown marching along, while the puppy scurries along, attempting to match its pace.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In some versions of the tale, the wolf scurries off to the forest while the three pigs live happily ever after in humble homesteads of their choice.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Players take on the role of Enzo Favaro, a miner who survives a tunnel collapse and flees the pit after insubordinately attacking a cruel underboss.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
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Blazy gives Odhiang a deep hug, jogs around the runway, and flees toward the exit, smiling.—
Nathan Heller,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One of the most profound parts of my healing has been realizing that survival doesn’t mean the pain disappears.—
Maya McHenry,
Refinery29,
28 Oct. 2025
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In The Great American Mousical, illustrated by Emma's dad Tony Walton, the star of a theater troupe of mice disappears just before opening night.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If diplomatic assurances succeed in inducing mutual restraint, and 2027 passes without incident, then a new stability in the western Pacific could take hold, anchoring the security and prosperity of a vital and dynamic region.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
-
But if the referendum passes, the charter change would apply to land valued over $500,000 regardless of size.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Pulse is a ghost story, featuring two interwoven storylines about young Tokyoites who begin to see and hear strange apparitions flitting across their computer screens.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
To keep gophers and moles out, gardeners had to put their own screens under the ground to keep them from digging up to the plants.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The defeat, Nuno Espirito Santo’s first win as West Ham coach, leaves Newcastle 13th, five points ahead of West Ham in 18th and 13 points behind league leaders Arsenal.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Parsley leaves also turn bitter after bolting.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flies. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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