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Definitions

flies

VERB
take to the air, usually employing wings
Synonyms
STRONGEST
circle climb cross drift float flutter glide operate pilot reach rush sail shoot speed swoop take off travel
STRONG
aviate barnstorm buzz circumnavigate control dart dash dive flat-hat fleet flit hop hover hurry jet maneuver mount scud seagull skim skirt soar whisk whiz whoosh wing zip zoom
WEAK
bend the throttle jet out jet over remain aloft sky out take a hop take flight take wing wing in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
remain slow stay
STRONG
decelerate rest
WEAK
confront face land stay on ground walk
VERB
run or pass swiftly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flee glide pass race rush shoot speed
STRONG
barrel bolt breeze career dart dash elapse flit hasten hurry hustle roll scamper scoot sprint tear whiz zoom
WEAK
go like the wind make off run its course slip away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
slow
STRONG
dally dawdle decelerate delay procrastinate rest wait
WEAK
confront face land remain stay stay on ground walk
VERB
escape, flee
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break disappear run take off withdraw
STRONG
abscond avoid bolt clear decamp hide hightail skedaddle skip
WEAK
clear out cut and run get away hasten away light out make a getaway make a quick exit make off run for it run from steal away take flight
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allow arrive obey stay
STRONG
face meet open
WEAK
confront land remain stay on ground walk

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Struck repeatedly and energetically at both ends of the room, the shuttlecock flies high.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

At least that’s what Michael Vater, a Florida-based lawyer who flies regularly, is banking on.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The spiders benefit humans by acting as natural pest control, eating mosquitoes, biting flies and invasive stink bugs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a two-seat aircraft that flies with a pilot and a weapons systems officer.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

A bug flies in front of my face, and I swat it away.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison