fled

USAGE SUMMARY

'fled' is a correct and usable word in written English.
'Fled' is a verb that means to run away quickly, usually in fear or danger. For example: The children fled in terror when they saw the storm clouds moving in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He fled Paris on a bicycle during the Nazi Occupation and, after a stint in the French Resistance, later found himself by chance serving as an air force photographer in France's Indo-China war in the early 1950s, travelling through Vietnam and then Cambodia, completely self-taught.

The Guardian - Arts

Close also interviewed Pontecorvo's son, Gil, now a 77-year-old retired nuclear physicist in Moscow, who was 12 when the family fled.

The Guardian

For those who have been, we often do not have vaccination cards as they fled from burning villages," says the 27-year-old nurse.

The Guardian

It has swelled in size as residents who fled the recent war in the Congo start to return, to take up work in trade, fishing and gold mining, which is beginning to kick off in earnest.

The Guardian

This was a month before Nadir fled Britain.

The Guardian - Business

Riyazaat Ali, a 27-year-old Hazara student who has fled Quetta for the port city of Karachi, a jumping-off point for many refugees, told Guardian Australia that the Australian government's decision was "worse than the biggest bomb blast".

The Guardian

Some Jews had even fled to Hungary, she explained.

The Guardian

When I left school, I found an older set of associates, all my classmates having fled for university.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A report from the charity Freedom From Torture (FFT), has collated medical evidence from 34 female political activists who have fled to the UK from DRC.

The Guardian

One female political activist who fled to the UK after being detained, raped and tortured by police in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, said: "Many are raped by secret police and other security officials.

The Guardian

Berény, the leader of a pre-first world war avant garde movement called the Group of Eights, fled to Berlin in 1920 after designing recruitment posters for Hungary's short-lived communist revolution in 1919.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fled" to convey a sense of urgency and escape from danger or unpleasant situations. It's more dramatic than simply "left" or "ran away".

Common error

Ensure you use the correct tense. "Fled" is the past tense of "flee". Using "flee" in a past context is a common error.

Linguistic Context

Fled functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'flee'. It denotes the action of running away from a place or situation, usually due to danger or fear. Ludwig confirms that "fled" is a valid and frequently used verb form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "fled" is the past tense of the verb "flee", indicating a rapid escape from danger or an undesirable situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used term, predominantly found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "escaped" or "ran away" exist, "fled" often carries a stronger connotation of urgency and fear. Therefore, using "fled" effectively conveys a sense of immediate escape. Remember to avoid the non-standard form "fleed" and maintain tense consistency in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escaped

Implies getting away from confinement or danger, similar to "fled" but can also mean avoiding something intangible.

ran away

A simpler, more general term for leaving quickly, often suggesting a less serious or dramatic situation than "fled".

took flight

A more figurative and literary way to describe escaping, often implying a sudden and decisive departure.

made off

Suggests a secretive or illicit escape, often implying that someone is running away with something stolen.

absconded

A more formal and often legal term for leaving secretly, especially to avoid detection or prosecution.

slipped away

Implies a subtle or unnoticed departure, often to avoid attention or responsibility.

retreated

Often used in military contexts, implying a strategic withdrawal from a position under threat.

evacuated

Suggests a planned and organized removal of people from a dangerous place.

withdrew

Implies a more formal or deliberate retreat, often from a competition or agreement.

decamped

Means to suddenly leave a place, usually implying a camp or temporary residence.

FAQs

How do I use "fled" in a sentence?

"Fled" is the past tense of "flee" and describes someone running away from danger or an unpleasant situation. For example, "The refugees "fled" the war-torn country."

What can I say instead of "fled"?

You can use alternatives like "escaped", "ran away", or "took flight" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fled" or "fleed"?

"Fled" is the correct past tense and past participle of "flee". "Fleed" is not a standard English word.

What is the difference between "fled" and "escaped"?

"Fled" implies running away from immediate danger, while "escaped" suggests breaking free from confinement or a difficult situation. One may "flee" a burning building, but "escape" from prison.