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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2025
In an industry filled with blowhards, Doug Davis flies pretty far under the radar, at least for a major music attorney, son of one of its most legendary executives and, for nearly two decades, co-pilot of that legendary executive’s iconic annual event, the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Perhaps most impressive, though, is how Hafley adjusted on the fly based on his personnel.
—Matt Schneidman, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fly 
Verb
Casey Crafton, a father and volunteer youth sports coach, was among those killed in Wednesday night’s plane crash while flying back from Wichita to Washington D.C. on American Airlines flight 5342.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2025
In an industry filled with blowhards, Doug Davis flies pretty far under the radar, at least for a major music attorney, son of one of its most legendary executives and, for nearly two decades, co-pilot of that legendary executive’s iconic annual event, the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
Nice work by Shayna here on how the Capitals managed to pull off a feat that so many NHL teams aim for but very few can actually manage: retooling on the fly instead of rebuilding.
—Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Perhaps most impressive, though, is how Hafley adjusted on the fly based on his personnel.
—Matt Schneidman, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
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India’s benchmark stock indexes the Nifty 50 and Sensex are hovering at more than seven-month lows, firmly in correction territory since their September high.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2025
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The percentage of voters with an unfavorable view of the Republican Party hovered around 60% in 2017, with a peak of 67% in August, according to Quinnipiac.—
Erin Doherty,
Axios,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The foreign aid agency, the world's largest of its kind, has for decades provided assistance to countries whose residents are recovering from disaster or who are trying to escape poverty.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
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Dozens of New Snowbird Options to Florida Allegiant Air, Breeze Airways, and Southwest are adding dozens of new routes to the Sunshine State just in time for northerners to escape the next six weeks of winter.—
Edward Russell,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The 35-time Grammy Award-winning singer has released the dates for her upcoming tour, which will travel to cities around the U.S. plus London and Paris.—
Caché McClay,
USA TODAY,
4 Feb. 2025
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Her home takes its cues from Milan design, mixing vintage and artisanal pieces, a style Elsesser has been drawn to since her many travels to Italy’s fashion capital.—
Claudia Williams,
Architectural Digest,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
Verb
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While many impact craters on Earth have long disappeared due to erosion and other natural factors, the moon’s craters can help researchers better understand what happened on Earth billions of years ago.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
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The plant has been disappearing before a combination of drought, wildfires, agriculture and urban development, according to Monarch Joint Venture, a group that works to protect monarchs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Senate could soon take the first step toward passing President Donald Trump‘s agenda as House Republicans struggle to reach a deal on budget cuts.—
David Sivak,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
4 Feb. 2025
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State regulations give insurers more latitude to raise premiums in exchange for issuing policies in high-risk areas, including consideration of climate change in premiums and passing the costs of reinsurance to consumers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Detectives closed the highway north of NW 72nd Street Friday evening to conduct their investigation and canvass for evidence.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
11 Jan. 2025
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The campaign runs Spanish phone banks six days a week, has weekly Spanish translation events and launches Spanish canvasses on the weekends.—
Stephanie Murray,
The Arizona Republic,
30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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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
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Lionsgate has several festivities planed including special events, anniversary screenings, new experiences, and new collectible merchandise, culminating in the release of Ballerina: From the World of John Wick next year on June 6.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near fly
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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