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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Why does Artemis 2 have so few chances to fly?
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Seeing the actress let her freak flag fly is a delight, and O’Brien, whose character also displays many facets, matches her step for step.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
The term designates the perfect flying condition where the ceiling is more than 10,000 feet and the visibility is more than ten miles.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Why does Artemis 2 have so few chances to fly?
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
In many ways this is a quintessential Cold War thriller, firmly rooted in the cinematic conventions the franchise was reinventing on the fly, but with palpable shades of real world politics.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Seeing the actress let her freak flag fly is a delight, and O’Brien, whose character also displays many facets, matches her step for step.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
The latest tally marks an eight-week high and comes after a recent stretch where filings, which are considered a proxy for layoff activity, had hovered around two-year lows.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The service This is where Sofitel shines—attentive, multilingual staff who anticipate your needs without hovering.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When approached, such a goose might have made a feeble attempt to escape.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Dylan Volantis escaped a jam with two consecutive strikeouts to conclude a stellar outing.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Epstein frequently traveled there, according to DOJ documents, and Barrack was involved in multiple real estate deals involving Middle Eastern governments.—
Daniel Ruetenik,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Aljorna, the affidavit claimed, hit a light pole before fleeing from the car, with an ICE agent chasing him on foot toward the home.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Several tankers fled the Venezuelan coast in the wake of the raid, including the ship that was boarded in the Indian Ocean overnight.—
Ben Finley,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hawke, who disappears into the role of Hart, is also nominated for an Academy Award for best actor.—
Trey Williams,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Other people whose arrests were documented by the detainees committee have disappeared into the prisons.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Posey seems to want to pass this off as prudence.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
New York state passed a similar effort in 2023.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Across the spring runways, designers leaned into bold hues as a canvas for expression.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Like a memory, his geometric canvases unfurl to display the agony of living through ceaseless violence and death.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While other teams may begun planing for the next window with a potential 2026 rookie QB on the horizon, the Steelers acquired countless veterans to win right here and right now.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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