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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fly
Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
The loss of the Orlando route continues the challenges of flying to the East Coast without a layover for Boise-area travelers.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2025
Dhani Joseph, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Outdoor spiders are hard at work, devouring home and garden pests such as ants, flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and thrips.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
Trump, who was scheduled to depart the White House early Tuesday to fly to the Netherlands for the NATO summit, was livid.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
The loss of the Orlando route continues the challenges of flying to the East Coast without a layover for Boise-area travelers.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2025
Noun
But maybe more importantly, the Angels are giving him room to make mistakes and learn on the fly.
—Dhani Joseph, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Outdoor spiders are hard at work, devouring home and garden pests such as ants, flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and thrips.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
The heat index hovered around 100 degrees for several hours.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2025
-
Oil prices need to hover around $65 a barrel for energy producers to profitably drill new wells, according to another Dallas Fed survey.—
Kate Marijolovic,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
The individual then escaped, believed to have escaped outside the back of the house.—
Mandy Taheri
Peter Aitken
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
-
Set in a vibey, transportive space that feels straight out of a Dubai or Beirut hotspot, Laya serves up a Sunday brunch escape… with a generous mouthful of garlic.—
Chelsea Frank,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
And while the first U.K. show debuted over a week ago on June 5, fans continue to travel from across the globe, keeping the excitement alive for each show.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
-
Before their egos ruined it, Buffalo Bill and Doc Carver hosted a traveling Wild West Show, starting in 1883.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
The conflict entered its sixth night, as Israel and Iran traded airstrikes that have sent civilians fleeing for safety in Tehran and Tel Aviv.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
-
The legislation comes as the country grapples with a severe demographic crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing war with Russia, which has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee abroad.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
But over the last few decades many have disappeared.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
17 June 2025
-
When Solutions acquired the property for program participants, crime disappeared.—
Paul C Webster,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
First up is Kristen Doute, who continues to shock me with each passing day as the voice of reason in this cast.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
-
The changes were included in a broader education bill passed Monday.—
Jim Saunders,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Waves of newcomers showing up to canvass events has become a trend, especially in recent weeks, according to his team.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
-
Candidates have a five-day window to file election challenges in court after the state canvass.—
Sasha Hupka,
The Arizona Republic,
5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Our ruling The Republican Party of Juneau County claimed on Facebook that planes full of unvetted refugees were being accepted to the Milwaukee and Madison airports.—
Sophie Carson,
Journal Sentinel,
3 July 2024
-
All this culminates in a debut album, Addison, that planes down contemporary pop influences into an ooze of familiarity, faintly evoking innovations in underground and alternative music without stepping out of its playlist-friendly lane.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share