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
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
Andrew Rice, New York Times, 27 May 2026
This issue is not flying under the radar among tax professionals.
—Shlomo Halberstam, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Apple has also started releasing Background Security Improvement updates — standalone security patches that can be applied on the fly if the feature is enabled.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
While Formula 1 can fly its grid around the world in the bellies of air transporters, the outsized, awkward dimensions of a foiling catamaran hull make aviation a non-starter.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 27 May 2026
This issue is not flying under the radar among tax professionals.
—Shlomo Halberstam, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
How painful are black fly bites?
—Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Apple has also started releasing Background Security Improvement updates — standalone security patches that can be applied on the fly if the feature is enabled.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
And that's just while hovering in place!—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
-
Imax’s stock is nearing $40 a share after the news broke about a potential sale, but the company hovered in the $20 range for much of 2025.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Mission Viejo right fielder Riley Campbell collected her third hit in the seventh to bring the tying run to the plate but Herrera escaped another jam to spark a celebratory dogpile.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
-
There's no doubt that when temperatures start to rise and approach 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the only way to survive is to find places with fans or air conditioning, or, if possible, escape to the beach or pool to cool off.—
Marilú Almaguer,
Glamour,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Potter said the whole goal behind Thrifty Traveler is to help show people how to travel more for less.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
-
But soft bananas don’t travel well.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
He was spotted ducking down in a field as traffic passed by and fled before he was found in a small cave, police have said.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
-
If your husband can limit his exposure to them without having to flee his own house, the situation may feel less awkward.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
However, outside the capital’s borders, this urban gloss disappears.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
With listings disappearing almost immediately, Giangreco hired a broker to tour apartments for her and send videos.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Avoid tailgating and pass with caution.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
At 6 foot 1 with 32 3/4-inch arms, Lee stands out with the size to take away passing windows.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Stewart paired hers with an oversized canvas barn jacket and caramel-colored heels.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
25 May 2026
-
Like an author’s blank page or a painter’s empty canvas, a simple black dress, with its endless options for outfit pairings, can actually be intimidating to style.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
The company says its selection approach is driven by performance data, with every title required to show active audience traction rather than simply occupying catalog space.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 May 2026
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The listing agent for Schottenheimer’s soon-to-be former home said proximity to work ultimately drove the NFL coach’s decision to move.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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