1
as in to hover
to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings
the Wright brothers realized mankind's age-old wish to fly
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2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
you must fly to safety immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to travel
to proceed or move quickly
flew down the concourse to catch his flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to flee
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 to disappear
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 to pass
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the familiar "Because I said so!" is a reason that won't fly with most teenagers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 9 Sep. 2025
There’s a fly in Powell’s ointment, however.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
As the Tom Ford brand enters a new era, with designer Haider Ackermann at the helm, Aniston is still flying the flag.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
Most launches from Vandenberg fly at a south or southeast trajectory.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 9 Sep. 2025
There’s a fly in Powell’s ointment, however.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
The source added that Vance will fly Kirk's casket from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
As the Tom Ford brand enters a new era, with designer Haider Ackermann at the helm, Aniston is still flying the flag.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
As for most of the tournament, Sinner’s first-serve percentage hovered around 50, and Auger-Aliassime took the initiative with flashing forehands and the bravery to go after his shots in baseline rallies.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to the newfound in-state rivalry, a sense of nostalgia hovered over pregame activities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With roughly 180 resorts spread across its atolls, there are dozens of worthy five-star escapes to choose from.—
Katie Lockhart,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Auger-Aliassime played some of his best tennis since the early 2020s in the second and fourth sets, winning the former and having Sinner on the edge of going a break down for 3-1 in the latter, before the Italian escaped.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Reporter Duaa Eldeib interviewed Sutton-Schulman and L multiple times and traveled to North Carolina for additional reporting.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Who isn't searching for Japan travel?—
Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Police reported the suspect got into an awaiting black SUV driven by a second suspect, and the pair fled the scene.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Routh allegedly fled after the agent fired at him, and was later arrested after being stopped on a nearby interstate.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Join the thousands of shoppers who have already scooped up these under-the-radar sales that are about to disappear.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Examples include a Brazilian boy who had his pancreatic malformation disappear in 2013.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Army soldiers, even those in non-combat jobs or those who lack previous firearms experience, must pass a rifle marksmanship test that includes targets as far as 325 yards away after mere days of training.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Two games in, though, the Packers have passed both tests with flying colors.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Besides the Cool Springs location, the brand is also planing to open stores at Opry Mills and West Town Mall in Knoxville this fall.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
The Tennessean,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Five flies in the storage area planed on pots and pans.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Police reported the suspect got into an awaiting black SUV driven by a second suspect, and the pair fled the scene.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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But there is also a deeper democratic malaise driven by his reluctance to heed the message delivered at the ballot box.—
Cole Stangler,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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