1
as in to disappear
to cease to be visible
the fog fled with the arrival of the dawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
a murderer who fled on foot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
a toddler who fled when the ladybug he had been quietly watching suddenly began flying around the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 flee
Waves of Vietnamese immigrants also came in the early 1980s, when some fled, often by boat, the difficult conditions in the communist nation.
—
Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2025
According to reports, the woman driving the vehicle that hit Jackson left the scene, but was later charged with fleeing.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
As flames advanced toward the Tel Aviv-to-Jerusalem highway, many people abandoned their cars and fled on foot or hitched rides with other vehicles heading in the opposite direction.
—Ibrahim Hazboun and Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Read is charged with murder, manslaughter and fleeing the scene for allegedly plowing into him with her Lexus and taking off, leaving him for dead in a snowstorm.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flee
Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2025
According to reports, the woman driving the vehicle that hit Jackson left the scene, but was later charged with fleeing.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
As flames advanced toward the Tel Aviv-to-Jerusalem highway, many people abandoned their cars and fled on foot or hitched rides with other vehicles heading in the opposite direction.
—Ibrahim Hazboun and Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Read is charged with murder, manslaughter and fleeing the scene for allegedly plowing into him with her Lexus and taking off, leaving him for dead in a snowstorm.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flee
Verb
-
Much of the production that Boston typically counts on disappeared.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Some bumblebee populations have been disappearing from the southern parts of their geographic range and have been found in cooler regions to the north and in more mountainous areas.—
Courtney McGinnis,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Tesla needs Musk's technical brilliance but can't escape the collateral damage of his polarizing public persona.—
Allen Adamson,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Behind the Tigers’ strong start is Gleyber Torres’ subtle leadership Cade Cunningham, Pistons can’t escape growing pains that come with NBA playoffs Colton Pouncy is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Detroit Lions.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
April 2025 The Hermit: April invites you to retreat inward, Gemini.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
-
When the volume of disruption outpaces clarity, managers retreat into operational survival mode and teams follow.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But if the barrier is breached, protection vanishes, and the note’s return moves in tandem with the underlying asset, meaning that the client assumes a 1:1 loss.—
Sergei Klebnikov,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The Yorktown vanished about 1,000 miles northwest of Honolulu, and was rediscovered by a U.S. Navy and National Geographic expedition in 1998.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Trump also directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff in Francis’ honor.—
Darlene Superville,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Listen to this article 2 min The final day of the 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, and these next four rounds will fly by with prospects hoping a dream calls their name to join them.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
First, there was a drip-drip-drip of crisis: as costs everywhere rose, city, state, and federal monies faded away once COVID-era bailout efforts came to an end.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2025
-
He’s got a big smile and that Generation Z vibe, maybe a freshly cut fade every three to four weeks.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The tune bolts to No. 1 in just its third week on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Caldwell replaces Poona Ford, who bolted for the Rams in free agency.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Applicants will be selected in August, and the program will run from September through November in New York City.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
5 May 2025
-
This story will run after Episode 4, but in Episode 3, clearly Dina wants something to happen in the tent.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flee. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share