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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in disappears
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 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
Pat Maio, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Aliens, dystopian nightmares, and twisted realities are more than likely provoking a reaction from viewers that flies a lot closer to terrified.
—Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026
What has four wheels and flies?
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
After 24 hours at 4G, flies stayed hyperactive for weeks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
There are no routes Spirit flies out of IAH that are not also covered by other airlines and Houston airport staff would not be affected.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
Taylor Wilson regularly flies between Fort Lauderdale and Baltimore.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Vertical flies under an arrangement that has been accumulating evidence toward certification for three years.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2026
The National Guard unit flies F-16 Fighting Falcon jet aircraft.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Leone, a furniture executive, flies exclusively on semi-private planes operated by JSX.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Aliens, dystopian nightmares, and twisted realities are more than likely provoking a reaction from viewers that flies a lot closer to terrified.
—Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026
What has four wheels and flies?
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
After 24 hours at 4G, flies stayed hyperactive for weeks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
There are no routes Spirit flies out of IAH that are not also covered by other airlines and Houston airport staff would not be affected.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026
Taylor Wilson regularly flies between Fort Lauderdale and Baltimore.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Vertical flies under an arrangement that has been accumulating evidence toward certification for three years.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2026
The National Guard unit flies F-16 Fighting Falcon jet aircraft.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flies
Verb
-
The price tag for the renovation still hovers at its more than $900,000 estimate, Mortensen said.—
Kevin Fixler
April 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Anything below 50% favorability portends political trouble; right now Trump’s positive standing in polls hovers around a dismal 40%.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The moving drama revolves on a young boy, the film’s titular character, who escapes the bombing of his southern Iranian village in which his family is killed.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
1 May 2026
-
The Chase, which also starred Marlon Brando, saw Redford play Bubber, who escapes from prison, and Fonda play his wife.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The way Radcliffe scurries out of his chair and into the green room to meet Liu illustrates her visceral impact.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Bridgerton fans can spot the Old Royal Naval College mostly throughout season 2, like when a paperboy scurries across the grounds to deliver the latest gossip from Lady Whistledown in the first episode.—
Kayla Keegan,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Searchlight is in development on Lottery, a Permut Presentations drama about a young man with Down syndrome who, after winning the lottery, flees his estranged mother and hits the road with a charming new friend who has ulterior motives of her own.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Following a violent outburst from Robert, Nancy gets in her car and flees in the last scene of the episode.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Overplaying exotic bets is where money disappears quickly.—
Neil Greenberg,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
When Fiona disappears, local oddball Jerry (David Wilmot) is the chief suspect.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
As a result, when Earth passes through the comet’s orbit, the comet itself is very far away.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
-
The Salmon River Scenic Byway passes through some of Idaho’s most remote regions.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Fans will be able to watch live soccer matches on large LED screens, enjoy soccer clinics and participate in activities intended to celebrate all 48 nations competing in the tournament.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
The 36 Cinema Distribution’s release with Variance Films of RZA’S One Spoon Of Chocolate grossed $574k opening weekend on 636 screens.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
This news soon wings its way to Irv Ravitz (Tibor Feldman), the magazine’s publisher, who hires her to be Runway’s features editor.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flies. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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