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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
As a counterpoint to the cleaner vibe, there were numerous decorative trends — painterly watercolor prints; florals, both printed and appliquéd; fly-away feathers, and a whimsical use of shimmer and shine.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
But Simmons caught Mukaba and ended the play with a flying body tackle at the Eagles’ 41.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
The current staging — with huge sets, telescoping projections, fly-away special effects and moody watercolor backdrops — are just as thrilling as in the past.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
As a counterpoint to the cleaner vibe, there were numerous decorative trends — painterly watercolor prints; florals, both printed and appliquéd; fly-away feathers, and a whimsical use of shimmer and shine.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Travelers can fly domestic, with international flights available on a case-by-case basis.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
But Simmons caught Mukaba and ended the play with a flying body tackle at the Eagles’ 41.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
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Antimony also has hovered at record prices this year, with current values placing the mine’s reserve at about $3 billion.—
Kevin Fixler
September 20,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Sep. 2025
-
When renting, Tang said their winter gas bills hovered around $120.—
Lizzie Kane,
Boston Herald,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In this week's PEOPLE cover story, Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, sets the record straight on the conspiracies that the King of Rock 'n' Roll is still alive and faked his death at age 42 in 1977, in order to escape fame.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
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West Ham United is aiming to escape the Premier League's relegation zone when an undefeated Crystal Palace visits the London Stadium on Saturday.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cutting an image that contrasted with Ali’s more libertine act, Frazier traveled with his family, including his teenage son, Marvis, an aspiring boxer himself.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
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The center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Following its defeat by Communist Party forces in the Chinese Civil War, the Chinese Nationalist movement, led by Chiang Kai-shek, fled to the island in 1949 as a government in exile.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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In six months, the site has grown from 600 people fleeing gang attacks in nearby Delmas 30 to 5,000 people from all over the capital, sheltering in packed government offices and makeshift shacks.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Set in the slowly disappearing town of Malmberget in northern Sweden, the documentary explores what remains when a place vanishes – not only physically, but emotionally and culturally.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
20 Sep. 2025
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The Atacama seemed to appear and disappear through a kaleidoscope positioned in outer space.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Congress then has 45 days to pass a bill to approve the president’s request.—
Kevin R. Kosar,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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That deal was struck in lieu of a retaliatory capital tax on foreign investors that was passed in the House version of the bill but was later removed by the Senate.—
Tobias Burns,
The Hill,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Magellano’s Dual Mode Hull, a signature feature that has been on the vessels since the series started, is a semi-planing hull with a vertical bow.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
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Besides the Cool Springs location, the brand is also planing to open stores at Opry Mills and West Town Mall in Knoxville this fall.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
The Tennessean,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere, a strange new trend has started, seeing users stitch together clips of Jeremiah from various episodes into horror film-like videos, driving home the message that this is not just another cute, curly-haired college student but a malevolent Disney villain.—
Olivia Petter,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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Discover the fascinating economics driving billion-dollar industries.—
thehustle.co,
thehustle.co,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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