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
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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
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
Their flowers smell like rotting meat, attracting beetles and flies to pollinate them.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
Gosling flies solo for much of the movie, a heavy lift of a role.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Texas State left fielder Jaquae Stewart flies out.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Locally, Key Lime flies only out of Centennial, but the company owns another airline called Denver Air Connection that operates out of DIA.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
More on Etihad Airways Founded in 2003, the UAE’s national airline now flies a global network that stretches across Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
The White House’s push for the Railway Safety Act flies in the face of its own advice.
—John Shelton, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Young normally flies using CLEAR, a private security program that costs about $200 a person, but that option wasn’t available on Sunday.
—Dan Gallo, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
Wing, which flies parcels attached to a white and yellow drone with many helicopter-like propellers, did not give a date for the launch or list specific cities.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
Their flowers smell like rotting meat, attracting beetles and flies to pollinate them.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
Gosling flies solo for much of the movie, a heavy lift of a role.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Texas State left fielder Jaquae Stewart flies out.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Locally, Key Lime flies only out of Centennial, but the company owns another airline called Denver Air Connection that operates out of DIA.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
More on Etihad Airways Founded in 2003, the UAE’s national airline now flies a global network that stretches across Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
The White House’s push for the Railway Safety Act flies in the face of its own advice.
—John Shelton, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Young normally flies using CLEAR, a private security program that costs about $200 a person, but that option wasn’t available on Sunday.
—Dan Gallo, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flies
Verb
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Judith’s twin brother, Hamnet (Ajani Cabey), hovers nearby, watching his sister’s suffering with growing alarm.—
Rhoda Feng,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The friction between Space Florida and NASA hovers over the federal agency’s most ambitious mission in half a century — Artemis II, slated for takeoff next month.—
Katelyn Ferral,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Soccer practices, airport runs, Costco expeditions and weekend escapes into Colorado’s foothills all demand a vehicle that blends comfort, capability and technology.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
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Airports are supposed to be places of motion, a steady current of departures and arrivals, of reunions and escapes.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The stinger on the scene, where Katie flees and Greg mistakenly gets caught peeping on two girls smooching, is good for some giggles.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Seemingly a united front, Michaela agrees to stay in London upon Francesca’s request, but secretly flees in the finale.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Under certain conditions, the distinction between them disappears entirely.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The gap between data and action is where AI value disappears.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Allen’s hummingbirds are year-round residents in Southern California but the rufous is a rarer visitor that passes through during spring and fall migrations while traveling between winter homes in Mexico to as far north as Alaska in the summer.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Instead, if this bill passes, families would have to drive to a breeder, probably many hours away, or even travel out of state.—
Ed Sayres,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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When the show ran at the London Palladium last summer, hundreds of passers-by would gather outside the landmark theater to witness Zegler singing live, for free, while her performance was beamed onto screens to the audience inside.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2026
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Hedgepeth said switching on screens is a problem against NSU.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His death now leaves a void at home and at school.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
While Fisher’s athleticism leaves a lot to be desired, his high IQ and ability to diagnose from the middle make up for athletic limitations with an extra step on breaking up an offensive rhythm.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flies. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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