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
Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Drain flies, as their name suggests, also like drains and damp areas, but they're not attracted to human food.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 13 May 2026
History provides little guidance, because never before has there been a cross-country campaign to redraw congressional districts at mid-decade and on the fly.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
Sun Country also flies cargo for Amazon.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Drain flies, as their name suggests, also like drains and damp areas, but they're not attracted to human food.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
Noun
Entering Tuesday, the Phillies had allowed zero fly-ball or popup hits in center field in May.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 13 May 2026
History provides little guidance, because never before has there been a cross-country campaign to redraw congressional districts at mid-decade and on the fly.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
One of the many strengths of the Kieślowski film is its tight focus on just two individuals, the watcher and the watched, with a couple of secondary characters hovering around the edges.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
With a par 70 layout, the leaders have mostly hovered around three under.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Joao Gomes, one of the few current players to escape the wrath of disgruntled supporters, lingered on the pitch after his team-mates had left following a brief, post-match lap of appreciation.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
There might be a fight to escape, but even those few who crawl over rocks and grit and sand to reach terra firma find their surroundings changed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Sofa waves travel at the speed of sound.—
Weike Wang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
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,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
That night, both the President and his wife periodically fled upstairs to check on their most beloved son, the eleven-year-old Willie, sick with a fever that would kill him two weeks later.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Prosecutors said that bystanders dialed 911 during the attack, but McHenry fled the scene, the outlet reported.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Jewelry couriers carrying armored cases disappear into the famously tiny elevators.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
In one scene, Misael disappears entirely from the forest as the canine roams around in the background while a calf grazes up front.—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The Ducks zipped the puck around the Vegas zone, and Gauthier found a seam pass through the heart of the defense right to Zellweger’s tape.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
An armed man fired more than 60 rounds from an assault-style rifle at passing cars on a busy road near Boston, wounding two people and hitting at least a dozen vehicles.—
Michael Casey,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Her blank-canvas stare allowed viewers to more easily project their experiences onto her, and perhaps even exorcise their frustrations through Mary’s problems.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Known for transforming urban graffiti into collectible fine art, Kongo approached the Black Badge Cullinan as a moving canvas.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The work is freelance and deadline-driven, with no salary, benefits, or job security.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Neto drove a 2-0 sinker 413 feet to center field, stunning Ginn and the A’s while ending a six-game losing streak for the Angels.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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