flee
verb (used without object)
to run away, as from danger or pursuers; take flight.
was fleeing
-
past progressiveof flee.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Alanís’ family said he was fleeing immigration agents at the Glass House Farms cannabis operation in Camarillo when he climbed atop a greenhouse and accidentally fell 30 feet, suffering catastrophic injury.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025
Abrego Garcia says he was fleeing death threats and extortion by a local gang when he first entered the U.S. in 2012 at 16 years old.
From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2025
Nino apologizes profusely to the dazed Gianni — who was fleeing bullies — and leaves him, in lieu of contact information, with a crumpled sketch of fireworks.
From New York Times ● Nov. 15, 2024
It was Nov. 15 when the AP first contacted the Tatmadaw captain, reaching him as he was fleeing a position through the jungle near the border town of Monekoe, one of the alliance’s primary targets.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 30, 2023
Almost without exception, whether it was fleeing a storm or for a weekend vacation, Kathy and the kids had to go without Zeitoun.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
