flee

[flee] / fli /

VERB

run away to escape

Synonyms

STRONGEST

depart desert fly get jump leave retreat take off vanish

STRONG

abscond avoid blow bolt break decamp elude evade hotfoot scamper scoot scram skedaddle skip slip slip away split vamoose

WEAK

beat a hasty retreat cut and run cut out fly the coop get away get the hell out make a getaway make off make one's escape make oneself scarce make quick exit make tracks step on it step on the gas take a hike take flight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

arrive come continue face stay

STRONG

dawdle join meet take on wait

WEAK

stand

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.

She said she was sad to see "these young people trying to flee."

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

When ships tried to flee U.S. forces near Venezuela earlier this year, American forces boarded the vessels in the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Many tried to flee to the nearest safe place, the town of Tawila.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

More than 12 million have had to flee their homes, earning Sudan the unfortunate privilege of having the world’s worst displacement crisis.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

He did not want to tangle with humans and was trying to keep his distance, but the shrinking circle gave him no chance to flee.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

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