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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Questions of safety and privacy are often argued when drones are discussed, as these little flying robots tend to make people uncomfortable.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
The Blue Jays have also had to adjust their starting rotation on the fly as some harsh setbacks sprung up toward the end of the regular season.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
Rumors have been flying for months about who might star in the new project, with Jordan’s name being linked at least once.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Questions of safety and privacy are often argued when drones are discussed, as these little flying robots tend to make people uncomfortable.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
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Javier Mascherano’s side took firm control in the 62nd minute when Messi, hovering deep, fed overlapping fullback Ian Fray down the right, and the Jamaican international’s cross was perfectly headed home by Tadeo Allende.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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After midnight on September 30th, helicopters hovered above a large Chicago apartment building, and heavily armored agents rappelled from the choppers onto the roof.—
Veralyn Williams,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Epstein story is all about people who are sufficiently rich or entitled escaping the full consequences of their actions, something that is still happening here.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
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Seven years after disappearing from his California home in 1972, 14-year-old Steven Stayner escaped his kidnapper, Kenneth Parnell, and returned to his family in 1980.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In an August 2017 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ellen described her role as a baseball wife as being the family's accountant, traveling secretary and real estate agent.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Apa's character, Archie Andrews, was attacked by a bear after escaping from an underground prison fight club; Reinhart's Betty discovered her father was a serial killer and saved her sister from a cult; and Mendes traveled back in time to invent birth control.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mykola, who fled the war in Ukraine in 2024, was a practicing doctor in Kyiv.—
Aditi Sangal,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
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The United Nations' migration agency said 2,500 to 3,000 people had fled El Fasher since Sunday.—
NPR,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Aside from weightless words, Hardwich notes that the worst thing about dating in 2025 is how common ghosting has become, with men showing interest only to disappear without warning.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Save screenshots, links and dates before the content disappears.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Emery’s words about passing too quickly do bear resonance.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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New York has seen an uptick in new studio developments coinciding with the state passing sweeter production incentives in its latest budget earlier this year.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2021, a man planed to propose to his girlfriend during a romantic gondola ride in Las Vegas, with passersby stopping to watch and record the sweet moment.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
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The Magellano’s Dual Mode Hull, a signature feature that has been on the vessels since the series started, is a semi-planing hull with a vertical bow.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While oil continues to drive Saudi Arabia's economy, the kingdom is now expanding into areas such as artificial intelligence, tourism and sports to diversify its growth avenues.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
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These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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