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.

It was only when samples arrived at the biomedical research laboratory in the capital Kinshasa -- nearly 1,800 kilometres away as the crow flies -- that the Ebola outbreak was confirmed.

From Barron's • May 24, 2026

The U.S. was present in those areas during World War II, and currently flies Hercules C-130 military transport planes out of Kangerlussuaq for several months of the year.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The RAF's RC-135W Rivet Joint is operated by No 51 Squadron and typically flies out of a base in Lincolnshire.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Ryanair flies shorter flights among different countries, allowing it to pack seats tighter and source labor where it is relatively cheap.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

My newest edible sidekick, Pierre the Pineapple, probably has a good two weeks of life before the flies come and Dad dumps him in the compost bin.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller