fly 1 of 2

verb

ˈflī How to pronounce fly (audio)
Definition of flynext
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

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2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation you must fly to safety immediately

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to travel
to proceed or move quickly flew down the concourse to catch his flight

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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

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fly

2 of 2

noun

as in canvas

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fly
Verb
The disclosure could deepen scrutiny of the security failures surrounding the flight after officials revealed the Omani co-pilot had previously been barred from flying in his home country over concerns about his extremist views. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026 Officials already have said the Omani copilot had been barred from flying by his own country because of concerns about his extremist views. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
Every year, experts from all over fly to New York for Climate Week, the largest of its kind in the world. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026 The next batter, Ian Happ, hit a deep fly to left that would have scored the winning run from third had Shaw successfully bunted. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
  1. hover
  2. escape
  3. travel
  4. flee
  5. disappear
  6. pass
  7. canvas
  8. glide
Verb
  • In fact, total non-pensioner benefits have hovered between 4% and 5% for more than 40 years.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • America's confidence in the media is hovering at an all-time low.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of hover
Verb
  • However, the abduction goes wrong, and Jeong-yo is shot in his attempt to escape.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Fasano Trancoso is an idyllic getaway for those looking to escape the madding crowds.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of escape
Verb
  • The story follows Emily, an American woman who travels with Simon, her Chinese Malaysian husband, and their son Louis to spend the summer at his family’s mansion.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Many of the units come with full kitchens and have one or two bedrooms making it ideally for families or those traveling in a group.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of travel
Verb
  • Yemen's civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis descended from their northern stronghold, capturing Sanaa and forcing the government to flee into exile in Saudi Arabia.
    — AHMED AL-HAJ, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The victim reported that four teenagers stole their necklace and fled the scene, according to police.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of flee
Verb
  • Fan largely disappeared from Chinese screens after a 2018 tax evasion case.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The next shift is to build continuity around the product itself, and its ownership… For brands, a product no longer disappears after the first sale.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of disappear
Verb
  • And because of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act passed earlier this year, the company appears to be on track to have taxpayers foot the bill.
    — H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
  • It was intended to be a casino, but when the law to legalize casinos didn’t pass, the property was sold.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of pass
Noun
  • Paris Fashion Week wrapped up a month of inventive and expressive street style, with denim often serving as the preferred canvas.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The island’s permanent Art House invites guests—of all ages—to get creative on canvas or pottery with the guidance of its resident artist.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of canvas
Verb
  • His camera glides around rooms and pans at opportune moments to maximize the power of offscreen space.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Arrive to the hotel by boat from the train station or airport and glide up an empty canal to the water entrance where a grand, rosy Gothic building rises out of the water.
    — Mary Holland, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of glide

Phrases Containing fly

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fluxing
fly
fly at
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Cite this Entry

“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fly

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