flies 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of fly
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

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2
3
4
5
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

flies

2 of 2

noun

plural of fly

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flies
Verb
The flag of the Wilton Rancheria now flies alongside Elk Grove’s city flag in what leaders said is a historic moment for both city and tribe. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025 The Taurid meteor shower blooms when Earth flies through debris left behind by Comet 2P/Encke. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2025 Solar drone that flies for 90 days Skydweller’s aircraft are built from lightweight carbon fiber and feature a wingspan comparable to a Boeing 747. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025 As Elphaba’s powers grow stronger and Nessarose flies out of her chair, the shoes glow as if lit from within. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025 With the third single from his EP Gris, Figueroa also earns his best rank on the overall Latin Airplay chart, where the song flies 9-2. Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025 Bark Air, a new airline designed exclusively for canine passengers, flies dogs in the main cabin of chartered Gulfstreams. Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flies
Verb
  • National runner-up Houston also hovers near the top of the odds as well.
    Scott Phillips, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The population here hovers around 250, and there’s just one grocery store—but intrepid guests will find themselves in stunning, rugged landscapes with few people around.
    Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The fabric is light enough to layer on travel days yet cozy enough for chilly winter escapes, and the vibrant color options, like royal blue and mandarin orange, add a cheerful twist to the traditional knit.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2025
  • What was once a place for summer escapes is quickly turning into a year-round destination for wealthy international buyers, many of whom are trading in London, Stockholm, or Frankfurt for the island’s slower pace of life.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 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
  • 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
  • Blazy gives Odhiang a deep hug, jogs around the runway, and flees toward the exit, smiling.
    Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Teach digital boundaries such as reminding children that nothing online truly disappears; screenshots and shares can happen instantly.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The Google Pixel Buds Pro handles noise cancellation and audio processing at the same time, with its custom Tensor A1 chip, meaning your music stays pristine while background noise disappears.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In California, Gavin Newsom‘s presidential ambitions stand to get a boost if his redistricting initiative, Proposition 50, passes.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The trail passes through burn areas from massive wildfires, now sprinkled with young lodgepole pines and wildflowers.
    Outside, Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Zohran Mamdani on His Unlikely Rise When the screens at the Brooklyn Paramount event confirmed his victory, attendees loudly cheered for minutes on end.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The president and his cabinet have been advocating across airwaves and screens for the viability and necessity of their tariff scheme as the date of the hearing approaches.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Back in 1962, Lilly leaves Juniper Hill with a higher dose of medication, which seems like the best-case scenario given the threat of lobotomy in the show’s opening titles.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The key is to fold the scarf over itself to create volume and to look for a lace trim that leaves the hem frayed, so as not to look too formal.
    Arancha Gamo, Glamour, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flies. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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