flee

verb

ˈflē How to pronounce flee (audio)
Definition of fleenext
1
as in to disappear
to cease to be visible the fog fled with the arrival of the dawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation a murderer who fled on foot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening a toddler who fled when the ladybug he had been quietly watching suddenly began flying around the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 flee More Democratic voters fled partisanship altogether over the past two years than Republicans, data show. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 The agent then flees into the titular pawn shop as a mob of protesters pursue him. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2026 The most obvious one is that a wealth tax will lead billionaires to flee the state. — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flee
  1. disappear
  2. escape
  3. retreat
  4. vanish
  5. fly
  6. fade
  7. bolt
  8. run
Verb
  • Rice University researchers found that the material retains directional spin fluctuations even after conventional magnetic order disappears.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Her muscle Joe keeps bleeding her for more money to find Ethel, who has seemingly disappeared.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of disappear
Verb
  • However, the abduction goes wrong, and Jeong-yo is shot in his attempt to escape.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Fasano Trancoso is an idyllic getaway for those looking to escape the madding crowds.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of escape
Verb
  • The militant group took over roughly one-third of Iraq after key Iraqi army divisions collapsed and retreated in the onslaught.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The Taurus Moon opposes Venus across your career and home zones, making recognition, responsibility, or visibility compete with the desire to retreat somewhere familiar.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • However, in the 7th century, this all vanished; the temples were abandoned and later looted, and Kea never again revived its trade or harbor settlements.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The next frozen Korean item that trends on TikTok is unlikely to vanish from shelves for as long as the first one did.
    — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of vanish
Verb
  • With his ring powered up, John flies over and drops off a bag of money as restitution to the waitress Maggie (Hannah Christine Shetler) who lost her family in the Manhunter attack.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The system is designed to provide short-range protection against drones, helicopters and low-flying aircraft, adding an air-defense layer alongside NMESIS’ anti-ship capability.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of fly
Verb
  • Decked out in traditional Virginia style furnishing and framed prints, the charm of the resort doesn’t fade where guests rest their heads.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Community organizations spent decades cultivating wealthy baby boomer donors, and so that connection fades with each generation removed from the original donors.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of fade
Verb
  • Dyson built the CameraJet around 16 million lines of code and a model trained on 470,000 dental images, bolting a camera, pump, fluid system and software onto a device people have historically cleaned with nylon bristles.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The move will bolt-on Outreach to a creators roster at The Team that includes Livvy Dunne, Taylen Biggs, Grant Horvat, The Bryan Bros, MatPat, Abby Baffoe and more.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of bolt
Verb
  • On Wednesday, the evening before they were set to dock, the mood seemed far more jovial aboard the ship; sailors were chatting and laughing, some were running a 5K around a deck now free of aircraft.
    — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
  • He was hired by Italy’s Agnelli family to run Fiat in 2004 when, due to previous mismanagement and the recession, few in the auto industry believed it could be saved.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of run

Browse Nearby Words

fledglings
flee
fleece
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flee. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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