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
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Recent Examples of fly
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026
Mosquito coils are essentially rolls of incense infused with citronella that slowly releases the scent to deter flying insects.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
The director also grabbed images on the fly, using his iPhone during location scouting to get close-ups of the insects and on set during forest chases.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
Like Astrobotic, Intuitive Machines is planning a heavier lander after flying a smaller vehicle on its first few missions to the Moon.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026
Mosquito coils are essentially rolls of incense infused with citronella that slowly releases the scent to deter flying insects.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Noun
Create the slick front with a pomade to keep hair smooth and prevent fly-aways, and pull curls into a simple low pony.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
The director also grabbed images on the fly, using his iPhone during location scouting to get close-ups of the insects and on set during forest chases.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
-
Still, the situation continues to hover over the club.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Global crude prices hovered between $60 and $70 for most of 2025.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
But, though the guns of war were a decade in the past, the nation had not escaped the spectre of conflict.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The show follows a couple who accidentally wander into Schmigadoon, a town where every day is a musical and the only bridge to escape leads to nowhere.—
Caroline Killilea,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
In 2026, the Eta Aquarid peak will occur overnight on May 5-6, as Earth travels through the densest part of Halley's debris stream.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
The club said the victims of the private aircraft crash were Seren Wilson, Brooke Skypala, Stacy Hedrick, Glen Appling and Hayden Dillard, who were traveling to a tournament.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
One of the drivers involved fled the scene on foot before first-responders arrived, according to authorities.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
The driver fled, and deputies followed.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The expectation of even a modicum of diversity within the halls of government could disappear quickly.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
The master plan hopes to significantly reduce that amount, curbing the region’s needs for disappearing landfill space.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The City Council passed the item by unanimous vote and without discussion.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Mets will reassess after 10 days have passed.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cole’s canvases were synthetic constructions teeming with homilies.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
As the water evaporates, the artwork disappears, leaving a blank canvas ready for next time.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
And in recent years, a new crop of miners driven by rising gold prices have sought to return to the landscape.—
Sarah Raza,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
Further, the tax disincentivizes success, weakens California’s standing as a hub for innovation, and demonizes the wealthy – all of which erode investment, drive economic activity elsewhere, and are ultimately incompatible with America’s capitalist roots.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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