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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Mathew Schumer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
And thanks to the missiles soaring over the Middle East, many long-distance flights now have longer routings, burning more fuel, as airlines try to avoid flying over some very unfriendly skies.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Jamie Lendino, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds and orifices of live animals, including humans.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
Unlike Apollo missions, Artemis II will fly past the lunar surface without stopping, testing spacecraft systems along the way and gathering data to inform future lunar exploration.
—Mathew Schumer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
And thanks to the missiles soaring over the Middle East, many long-distance flights now have longer routings, burning more fuel, as airlines try to avoid flying over some very unfriendly skies.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
Dragging and dropping on-the-fly Voice Memo recordings of your latest idea into GarageBand works well, too.
—Jamie Lendino, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds and orifices of live animals, including humans.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
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The bank expects oil prices will hover around $100 a barrel for the rest of the year – and could go even higher if the Strait of Hormuz’s closure continues to disrupt energy supplies.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
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Video from the rescue shows the helicopter descending near the Seneca River and then hovering over the water, where the dog is struggling to keep its head above the surface.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fortunately, fire crews only had to focus on getting the fire out as the two families were able to escape on their own.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Chesney had escaped from an outside enclosure on March 25, after being frightened by some unknown barking dogs.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kristopher David was driving to work Wednesday morning near the intersection of Broward Boulevard and Seventh Avenue when a black Audi, traveling westbound at a high rate of speed, T-boned his white BMW.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Instead, Hall put on late-night shows in the basement of his home and became a popular child magician, earning money by doing his routine at ritzy parties and travelling to magic conventions.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The sole occupant of the home was assaulted and tied up before the suspect stole several items from the home, including a vehicle, then used that vehicle to flee the scene, according to LeLacheur.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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All three suspects in the vehicle bailed and fled on foot, prompting assistance from both the Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore City's Foxtrot.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The shipment of the crunchy bars, made of waffles covered with chocolate, disappeared last week while en route between production and distribution locations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Bethany Markowski disappeared one month after her 11th birthday.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In 2020, the Legislature passed a law barring trans women and girls from participating in women’s and girls sports.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
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The measure passed, 363–117, killing the death penalty in France.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As Barber fell to the canvas, Grasso put her in a rear naked chokehold before the fight was quickly called.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
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No influencers, no trending audio, no elaborate editing — just millions of people sleeping better to the sound of rain on canvas.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lexington businessman Nate Morris and former Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the other two Republican Senate race frontrunners, are also planing to be in attendance.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Mar. 2026
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Conditions will remain dangerous through the weekend, and people need to plane carefully and be conservative when selecting terrain, according to the CAIC.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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