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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
David J. Neal
updated August 22, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Tommy Fleetwood’s birdie on Sunday rolled in only after a stray fly redirected its path, a moment that drew more laughter than disbelief.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
One person was hospitalized and later flown to Nashville for treatment following a shooting that occurred during Friday night's game between Graves County and host Mayfield, the Mayfield Police Department reported in a social media post.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
The inspector counted another seven flies elsewhere.
—David J. Neal
updated August 22, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Tommy Fleetwood’s birdie on Sunday rolled in only after a stray fly redirected its path, a moment that drew more laughter than disbelief.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Players fly in luxury for 14 or 15 road trips a year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
One person was hospitalized and later flown to Nashville for treatment following a shooting that occurred during Friday night's game between Graves County and host Mayfield, the Mayfield Police Department reported in a social media post.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median employee tenure in US industries hovers around 3.9 years, while voluntary quits remain persistently high.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The rate hovered closer to 65 percent in the early 2000s, before dipping more sharply in recent years.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Both eateries are open to the public, making this a great place to escape from the heat of the day while peeking inside the incredible interior of this historic building.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
What does this have to do with the series’ opening scene, in which nurse Melvin (Dan Fogler, whose recognizability counts as an early spoiler) escapes from a burning apartment, unable to save his mother?—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Horses usually have trainers that travel with them, but those services are arranged separately.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Spurgeon traveled with the U.S. Army to the Philippines and then later to occupied Japan.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Goins, who was accused of fleeing with Debose, pleaded guilty to lesser charges.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
According to police, officers were first notified at 10:07 p.m. The vehicle fled the scene, police say.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
It was abandoned after several children disappeared there.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
When Eva suddenly disappears without a trace, the priest despairs, leading him to commit a series of shocking and violent crimes.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Still, the city has been passed through multiple hands of power, also being conquered by the Serbians, Hungarians, Bosnians, Venetians, French, Austrians and Yugoslavians.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The Olympian passed her role to FC Cincinnati, who will become the new steward of the race.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Detectives were at the scene on June 22 to canvass and interview witnesses, the sheriff's office said.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
-
Officers conducted a canvass of the area and located the suspect, identified as 63-year-old Jeffrey Nicholson of Newark, New Jersey, lying on the ground in a yard on Meadow Street, according to police.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Five flies in the storage area planed on pots and pans.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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