1
as in disappeared
to cease to be visible
the fog fled with the arrival of the dawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in escaped
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
a murderer who fled on foot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in retreated
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fled
The suspects fled the scene, last seen heading northbound on Kedzie Avenue in a sedan, police said.
—
Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Stella alleged that a small black hatchback vehicle struck her state police cruiser and then fled the scene.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
The incident in which Ross was dragged by an undocumented immigrant on June 17, 2025, occurred when the suspect fled during a traffic stop, pulling the officer along by his right arm.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Officers tried to stop the vehicle, but according to police, the driver failed to comply, made a U-turn and fled.
—Jamie Landers, Dallas Morning News, 10 Jan. 2026
Hundreds of people who fled the neighborhood days earlier were waiting at Sheikh Maqsoud’s entrances to be allowed in once the military operations are over.
—Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
London then fled in his Mercedes.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad fled the country after a revolution, which Iran had helped bloodily pacify, finally achieved its goal.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Kneeland fled on foot, police reported.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fled
Verb
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Even worse for him, the cash ripped from his waist and disappeared into the darkness.—
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Although multiple witnesses reported seeing a shark near where Fox disappeared, the coroner did not officially confirm a shark bite until Thursday.—
Verb
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Bella escaped her family’s Houston, Texas, backyard on a rainy New Year's Eve in 2020.—
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The boyfriend and two of the girls died, but the youngest sister escaped.—
Verb
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Unsurprisngly, Meg White, who retreated from public life and hasn’t been heard from for over a decade, was a no-show.—
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People retreated in fear that more would come.—
Verb
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Specialized districts, from meatpacking to printing, didn’t disappear because demand vanished.—
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Prices of basic goods like cooking oil and chicken dramatically spiked overnight, and some products vanished all together.—
Verb
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Once the flowers have faded, trim the stalks 1 to 2 inches above the bulb, retaining the green foliage.—
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The Lakers faded down the stretch to 27 points from the Spurs’ Keldon Johnson and 16 points and 14 rebounds by Victor Wembanyama.—
Verb
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Multiple key coordinators and assistants agreed to contracts with LSU shortly after Kiffin bolted from the Rebels, including offensive coordinator Weis, tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox, and wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator George McDonald.—
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The Wolverines bolted out to an 11-0 lead thanks to a defense that forced six early turnovers.—
Verb
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Two Heat starters also ran into foul trouble early on, as Michell and Wiggins were each called for two fouls within the first six minutes of the contest.—
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The 2025-26 NBA season is in full swing, renewing the long-running debate over the league’s greatest player.—
Cite this Entry
“Fled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fled. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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