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
Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 June 2025
The plane that crashed on June 12 flew for the first time in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014, Flightradar24 said.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Robeson Bailey, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2025
Furthermore, their droppings attracted flies and generated noxious odors, which fouled the otherwise refreshing Mackinac air.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
On July 16, 1999, Kennedy and Bessette died in a plane crash when JFK Jr. was flying his wife, and her sister, Lauren, from New Jersey en route to Martha's Vineyard.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 June 2025
The plane that crashed on June 12 flew for the first time in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014, Flightradar24 said.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Noun
Then the current got it, and the fly began its drift.
—Robeson Bailey, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2025
Furthermore, their droppings attracted flies and generated noxious odors, which fouled the otherwise refreshing Mackinac air.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
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Police helicopters hovered as marchers wove between vehicles.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2025
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There’s also more heightened genre elements, including explosions, gun fights and a mysterious corporate private plane hovering over the desert.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Set in a vibey, transportive space that feels straight out of a Dubai or Beirut hotspot, Laya serves up a Sunday brunch escape… with a generous mouthful of garlic.—
Chelsea Frank,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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Heat escapes its atmosphere so quickly that, were one to stand at its equator at noon with skin exposed — not a great idea!—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
The ban, which goes into effect on Monday, bars travel to the United States by citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.—
Hamed Aleaziz,
New York Times,
5 June 2025
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With a robust slate, strategic partnerships, and international ambitions, the production house is betting big on content that travels — whether vertically on mobile screens or globally across borders.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Hardin fled the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, through a secure entryway on May 25 wearing a fake law enforcement uniform.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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The family fled Colombia in 2002, leaving behind comfort and status.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
Verb
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This marks a significant expansion of the President's Choice line, which sees its limited-release bottles quickly disappear into the hands of bourbon collectors and whiskey enthusiasts.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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For example, the GFS could spit out a prediction for a US hurricane landfall about 10 days from now, only to have that chance completely disappear as the forecast date draws closer.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Given his skill in possession and ability to pass long, replacing Schar will not be an easy — or cheap — task.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Also, Congress never managed to pass legislations such as the PRO Act that would have lowered obstacles to organizing and helped increase density, particularly in the private sector.—
Jim Miller,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Candidates have a five-day window to file election challenges in court after the state canvass.—
Sasha Hupka,
The Arizona Republic,
5 Nov. 2024
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Our chat canvasses why Milioti was the right actress for the role of Sofia and why LeFranc is submitting The Penguin‘s finale for Emmy consideration.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
28 May 2025
Verb
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All this culminates in a debut album, Addison, that planes down contemporary pop influences into an ooze of familiarity, faintly evoking innovations in underground and alternative music without stepping out of its playlist-friendly lane.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
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Erect blackberries like 'Navaho' can be planed in traditional rows or grown as a hedge.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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