flee

verb

ˈflē 

fled ˈfled  ; fleeing

intransitive verb

1

a

: to run away often from danger or evil : fly

The family fled from the war-torn zone.

b

: to hurry toward a place of security

Refugees fled to a neighboring country.

2

: to pass away swiftly : vanish

mists fleeing before the rising sun

transitive verb

: to run away from : shun

Many people fled the city to escape the fighting.

Synonyms

• dematerialize
• disappear
• dissolve
• evanesce
• evaporate
• fade
• fly
• melt
• sink
• vanish

Examples of flee in a Sentence

The family fled from Nazi Germany to Britain in 1936.

He was accused of trying to flee the scene of the accident.

Many people fled the city to escape the fighting.

He was forced to flee the country.

Recent Examples on the Web

With the brutality and U.S. support continuing, refugees would continue to flee by sea, landing in South Florida. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025

Investigators believe that an armed assailant entered the location and fired a gun, and then fled the scene, police said. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Jan. 2025

Assad, whose family had ruled Syria since 1971, fled to Moscow. —Warren P. Strobel, arkansasonline.com, 26 Jan. 2025

While Shapiro survived the attack, Alcala fled the scene but was later caught and arrested, pleading guilty to child molestation. —Mollie Markowitz, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flen, from Old English flēon; akin to Old High German fliohan to flee

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing flee

• leave/flee the nest

Kids Definition

flee

verb

ˈflē 

fled ˈfled  ; fleeing

1

a

: to run away often from danger or evil : fly

b

: to run away from : shun

2

: to pass away swiftly : vanish

the mist fled before the rising sun