Synonyms of fly

fly 1 of 2

verb

ˈflī 

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

• hover
• plane
• glide
• wing
• sail
• soar
• float
• drift
• dart
• flutter
• aviate
• flit
• coast
• waft
• helicopter
• hang
• sweep
• jet
• rocket
• catapult
• cruise
• orbit
• dive
• stoop

2

as in to escape

to get free from a dangerous or confining situation

you must fly to safety immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

• escape
• flee
• leave
• get out
• move
• run away
• run off
• abscond
• break free
• go
• clear out
• break out (of)
• avoid
• evade
• lose
• exit
• depart
• lam
• elude
• pull out
• shun
• walk out
• take off
• quit
• rescue
• shove (off)
• elope
• liberate
• sally (forth)
• extricate
• decamp
• release
• spring
• loose
• disentangle
• free
• loosen
• redeem
• bring off
• emancipate
• unbind
• enfranchise
• uncage
• unfetter
• unchain
• manumit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remain
• stay
• dwell
• linger
• abide
• return
• hang around
• come back
• stick around
• tarry

3

as in to travel

to proceed or move quickly

flew down the concourse to catch his flight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• travel
• drive
• hurry
• race
• speed
• scurry
• rush
• trot
• jump
• chase
• zip
• run
• scoot
• blow
• dart
• buzz
• rip
• scuttle
• shoot
• jet
• tear
• blast
• zoom
• dash
• breeze
• step
• hurl
• rocket
• bolt
• motor
• whirl
• jog
• ram
• course
• bowl
• whisk
• career
• hustle
• hurtle
• crack (on)
• belt
• rustle
• beat it
• hasten
• hie
• hare
• blaze
• nip
• bomb
• barrel
• hump
• careen
• flit
• get a move on
• bundle
• step on it
• gallop
• pelt
• make tracks
• highball
• bustle
• shake a leg
• cannonball
• hotfoot (it)
• scamper
• beetle
• accelerate
• sprint
• streak
• scud
• whiz
• step out
• overtake
• whizz
• stampede
• outrun
• catch up
• outstrip
• quicken
• outpace
• scuffle
• arrow
• fast-forward
• beeline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crawl
• drag
• creep
• poke
• hang (around or out)
• linger
• poke
• loiter
• lag
• dawdle
• stroll
• tarry
• saunter
• shuffle
• amble
• lumber
• slow (down or up)
• plod
• decelerate
• dillydally
• dally

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

• flee
• retreat
• run
• bolt
• escape
• break
• run off
• run away
• beat a retreat
• beat it
• turn tail
• skedaddle
• hightail (it)
• bug out
• make tracks
• get (away)
• get out
• abscond
• scram
• skip (out)
• decamp
• make off
• clear out
• elope
• light out
• lam
• scat
• scarper
• skirr
• mizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confront
• dare
• face
• beard
• defy
• remain
• stay
• brave
• dwell
• linger
• abide
• hang around
• stick around
• tarry

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

• disappear
• vanish
• fade
• melt
• flee
• evaporate
• dissolve
• sink
• dissipate
• drop out of sight
• die (away or down or out)
• dry up
• evanesce
• blur
• dematerialize
• disperse
• clear
• blank (out)
• dim

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appear
• arrive
• emerge
• come out
• issue
• materialize
• show up
• break out
• loom

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

• pass
• work
• stand up
• play
• wash
• hold up
• take
• hold water
• pass muster
• get through
• go over
• go down
• go through

fly

2 of 2

noun

as in canvass

Synonyms & Similar Words

• canvass
• canvas
• shield
• screen
• shelter
• umbrella
• dome
• roof
• shade
• arbor
• bower
• sunshade
• canopy
• ceiling
• tent
• pavilion
• pergola
• cover
• marquee
• awning

Examples of fly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Those selected would be flown to Jeffries and Smith's homes or to hotels around the world. —Avery Lotz, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024

Popular on Variety For years, Lenz would fly between Los Angeles, Wilmington and Idaho, turning down acting jobs at the group’s guidance. —Emily Longeretta, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

What Are Thrips? Also known as thunder flies, thrips are tiny, sap-sucking insects in the Thysanoptera order. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2024

However, some thrive in dynamic environments and possess the right mentality—engineers who can quickly adapt, make decisions on the fly and get things done without waiting for everything to be perfectly laid out. —Abhishek Shivanna, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

Phrases Containing fly

• fly at
• fly in the ointment
• fly into a rage
• fly off the handle
• let fly