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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Instructors will cover the basics of fly fishing, including rod and reel selection, casting, types of flies and knot tying.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2025
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
With the launch of the Fold 7, Samsung made a similar free offer that flew under the radar.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
This style is designed in soft, stretchy cotton denim with a zip-and-button fly and five pockets.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Instructors will cover the basics of fly fishing, including rod and reel selection, casting, types of flies and knot tying.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
Firefighting helicopters on various occasions scooped up water from the lake when fighting wildfires instead of flying farther away.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
With the launch of the Fold 7, Samsung made a similar free offer that flew under the radar.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
Three drones hovered over the facility during CNN’s visit, according to local officials.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Florida’s natural springs with year-round refreshing temperatures, hovering around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, that are sprinkled throughout the northern and central parts of the state.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Both eateries are open to the public, making this a great place to escape from the heat of the day while peeking inside the incredible interior of this historic building.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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What does this have to do with the series’ opening scene, in which nurse Melvin (Dan Fogler, whose recognizability counts as an early spoiler) escapes from a burning apartment, unable to save his mother?—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In 1971, President Richard Nixon met with the Emperor of Japan on the tarmac in Anchorage as Hirohito traveled to Europe for meetings.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
-
On the last day of the season, Athletic Club will travel to the Santiago Bernabéu to take on Real Madrid.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Democrats in the state’s House have since fled the Lone Star state to avoid a quorum needed to pass the redistricting bill.—
ForbesTV,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
While others were desperately fleeing Afghanistan, Seierstad traveled there alone to see the impact of the Taliban victory.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Since then, that offensive production has all but disappeared.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Silhouette’s Atelier line takes the cat-eye into ethereal territory with a silhouette that lifts the face and disappears on it.—
Dan Michel,
Robb Report,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Then, pass rusher Brian Burns revealed this week that Lawrence has been teaching him some new tricks of the trade to get to the quarterback.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
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The State Board passed an emergency regulation that went into effect July 23 that allowed Wright to extend Tasker-Mitchell’s reinstatement until Jan. 19 or until a hearing occurs.—
William J. Ford,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Detectives were at the scene on June 22 to canvass and interview witnesses, the sheriff's office said.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
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Officers conducted a canvass of the area and located the suspect, identified as 63-year-old Jeffrey Nicholson of Newark, New Jersey, lying on the ground in a yard on Meadow Street, according to police.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Five flies in the storage area planed on pots and pans.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
25 July 2025
-
At that time, one of his attorneys told News Channel 5 that Moreland planed to take a job outside of the legal profession, following his 2019 disbarment, and stay out of the public eye.—
Hadley Hitson,
The Tennessean,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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