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 American flag flies behind a Wall Street sign near the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City on April 22, 2026. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 15 June 2026 Now, Cecil always flies with the super slim bladeless pocket knife. Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026 Meanwhile, Kansas City TV meteorologist Margaret (Emily Blunt) is having breakfast with her boyfriend Jackson (Wyatt Russell) when a cardinal flies through the window and locks eyes with her before flying away. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2026 This dynamic alone has served as something of a churn-buster for NESN, as does its heavy investment in shoulder programming (a strategy that flies in the face of the standard RSN budget-slashing). Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026 The charter carrier Atlas Air flies some, as does the freight operator Kalitta, but even their numbers are dwindling as companies move to more efficient two-engine aircraft. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 Here's one developed by Angela Betancourt, a communications strategist who flies at least twice monthly with her toddler. Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 12 June 2026 The country is famous for whisky, but its rum industry still flies under the radar. Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 Time flies, but super exciting. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flies
Verb
  • Building on a recurring motif of witches, Woods has Emily and Sylvia lift off during a thunderstorm, soaring above the city skyline in a sequence that hovers between dream and fantasy.
    Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
  • Bubblegum-pink parasols frame the infinity pool, which hovers over the private sandy beach and shows off views spanning all the way to the Lérins Islands.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Budget retreats run roughly $1,000 to $2,000 for a week-long stay, mid-range options land between $3,000 and $6,000, and luxury escapes start around $7,000 and climb from there.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026
  • Until that relationship changes, no amount of vacation time, wellness apps or weekend escapes will create lasting relief.
    ByBryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • That goes for much here, from the light that scurries away from Benjamín Echazarreta’s muted camera, to the moments of sweetness that punctuate Mariá Portugal’s largely ominous score.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 May 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The dark cellos of Guðnadóttir chop and grind, and Washington—shrieking, swiping, maddened at the air—flees into the forest, a disappearing uniform.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
  • The first segment examines a woman who flees her home, escaping to a remote island in Ireland after her husband’s criminal trial.
    The Know, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • When the bass line disappears, even gifted musicians begin to drift.
    Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Their childhood best friend, Sebastian Wolfe, is accepted and disappears behind its gates, leaving Briar in the ordinary world.
    Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Kelsey passes around a bowl of clam shells with questions written on them as Liz gnaws on a corn on the cob.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 June 2026
  • Premium passes cost $55 each day, and includes access to an exclusive standing-room viewing area, premium restrooms, a dedicated bar area and access to premium food options.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • Digital eye strain happens from the use of screens like phones, computers and tablets.
    Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
  • Beyond live match broadcasts on four massive screens, the festival features an 8,000-capacity amphitheater, concerts, cultural programming tied to matches of the day, food booths, family-friendly games, mini soccer pitches, face-painting and interactive activations.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Flies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flies. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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