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
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
With moths, the larval stage eats the food, while the adult moth stage flies around looking for a mate.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
The bee that flies alone gets swatted, or at least turned into a necklace at some rich lady’s garden party.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
But, Wiseman stressed, the blame doesn't lie with the toilet itself, which is a more compact version of the loo that flies on the International Space Station.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
The former Miss Tennessee, who appeared in Esquire magazine and numerous Southwest ads, still flies with the company today.
—The Oklahoman, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Even when one gag flies past, three more follow immediately that do.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Sonic booms sound like loud, thunderous bangs and occur when an aircraft or spacecraft flies overhead faster than the speed of sound.
—Tom Costello, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
With moths, the larval stage eats the food, while the adult moth stage flies around looking for a mate.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
The bee that flies alone gets swatted, or at least turned into a necklace at some rich lady’s garden party.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
But, Wiseman stressed, the blame doesn't lie with the toilet itself, which is a more compact version of the loo that flies on the International Space Station.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
The former Miss Tennessee, who appeared in Esquire magazine and numerous Southwest ads, still flies with the company today.
—The Oklahoman, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Even when one gag flies past, three more follow immediately that do.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Sonic booms sound like loud, thunderous bangs and occur when an aircraft or spacecraft flies overhead faster than the speed of sound.
—Tom Costello, NBC news, 10 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
-
Farm stays are far from new, but travelers are showing a resounding new interest in rural, back-to-the-land escapes.—
Jen Murphy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Austin escapes the clinic through the ceiling and calls Eunice from a cab to the police station.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 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
-
Unlike many spray sunscreens that feel sticky or heavy, this one truly dries down fast and disappears into the skin.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Romvari disappears Jeremy from shots in the film as Sasha’s fantasy dissolves.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sophomore Nate Roberts is a 6-5, 240-pounder who has blocking experience and showed off versatility catching passes in the spring.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Be sure to stay alert and have a safe place as well as a plan in case a severe storm passes through your area.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This weekend — four years and seven months since cameras first rolled on the project — Desert Warrior squeaked onto 1,010 American screens with the barest minimum of marketing and failed to crack the top ten of new movies.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
-
From January through March every year, our screens—and, for the luckiest among us, our travel schedules—are inundated with fashion shows.—
Alexandra Hildreth,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The move leaves the Seahawks with a total of six picks in the draft.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the album’s high quality across the board, Mahesh still leaves a few ends loose.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flies. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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