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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fly
Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 30 May 2025
The mayor’s 12-year-old ward and distant relative Atari (Koyu Rankin) flies to the island with the goal of saving his beloved pet Spots (Liev Schreiber) from certain death.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025
In general, one either adds a few more capabilities on each fly to test or tries to do the entire system on each flight.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Verb
Marine One As a security measure, presidential helicopter Marine One often flies in a group of as many as five identical aircraft.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 30 May 2025
The mayor’s 12-year-old ward and distant relative Atari (Koyu Rankin) flies to the island with the goal of saving his beloved pet Spots (Liev Schreiber) from certain death.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
Noun
The resort is perfectly located for guests to take full advantage of the region’s famed outdoor adventures—hiking trails, mountain biking routes, world-class fly fishing, and premier skiing at nearby Bridger Bowl, Yellowstone National Park, and the Yellowstone River.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025
In general, one either adds a few more capabilities on each fly to test or tries to do the entire system on each flight.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fly
Verb
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Over the years, the percentage of transactions conducted in cash has significantly dropped, with the average estimate now hovering around 20 percent.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
The purchase is worth around $509 million at current market prices, with Bitcoin hovering around $108,000.—
Niamh Rowe,
Quartz,
28 May 2025
Verb
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On Monday, Tomaszewski learned one of his neighbors found a white Nike shoe in between the home where the shooting occurred and the yard people escaped through.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2025
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While restaurants, meatpackers and countless other businesses now risk having workers targeted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, tech employers have largely escaped Trump administration scrutiny for their use of foreign labor.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
The ban, which goes into effect on Monday, bars travel to the United States by citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.—
Hamed Aleaziz,
New York Times,
5 June 2025
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With a robust slate, strategic partnerships, and international ambitions, the production house is betting big on content that travels — whether vertically on mobile screens or globally across borders.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
The family fled Colombia in 2002, leaving behind comfort and status.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
-
Hardin fled the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, through a secure entryway on May 25 wearing a fake law enforcement uniform.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Verb
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This marks a significant expansion of the President's Choice line, which sees its limited-release bottles quickly disappear into the hands of bourbon collectors and whiskey enthusiasts.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
For example, the GFS could spit out a prediction for a US hurricane landfall about 10 days from now, only to have that chance completely disappear as the forecast date draws closer.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Given his skill in possession and ability to pass long, replacing Schar will not be an easy — or cheap — task.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Status: State site funding passed; township idea stalled.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Our chat canvasses why Milioti was the right actress for the role of Sofia and why LeFranc is submitting The Penguin‘s finale for Emmy consideration.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
28 May 2025
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Public comment on the canvasses was close to nonexistent.—
Sasha Hupka,
The Arizona Republic,
26 Nov. 2024
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fly. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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