fleeing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fleeing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is running away or escaping from something, usually in a hurried and frightened manner. Example sentence: The citizens were fleeing the city in terror as the tornado approached.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Britain should be proud of our long history of helping those fleeing persecution.

The Guardian

Foreign diplomats were converging on Burma on Thursday, seeking to discuss the Asian migrant crisis which is widely believed to have its roots in the mass fleeing of the country's persecuted Rohingya minority.

The Guardian

Her great aunt Nina revealed that her first period arrived as she was about to be strip searched while fleeing Nazi-occupied Poland, and "the most powerful part," says Kauder Nalebuff, "was that she had never told anyone about this before.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tony Bunyan, director of Statewatch, which documents European justice and home affairs policies, added: "The government's justification for not participating in Triton is cynical and an abdication of responsibility by saying that not helping to rescue people fleeing from war, persecution and poverty who are likely to perish is an acceptable way to discourage immigration".

The Guardian

Since March, 60,000 people have arrived in Tissi on foot and donkey, fleeing a new outbreak of ethnic violence in Darfur, to the east.

The Guardian

It was September 2012, and Lady Warsi was fleeing London in protest at David Cameron's decision to remove her from her post as Tory party chairwoman.

The Guardian - Opinion

He claimed to be a refugee fleeing persecution in Iran; it now seems likely he fled after embezzling money.

The Guardian

The other US government agencies they usually count on for support are fleeing them.

The Guardian - Tech

"As he was fleeing from police, they killed my son.

The Guardian

It's hard to know how next year's winners will be able to top this year's one-two of sleepiness and outright fleeing.

The Guardian

When most leaders in the Democratic and Republican parties were saying that we should close our border to children fleeing violence in Central America, he defied them and said that we could not send children 'back to certain death'.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeing" to describe situations where individuals or groups are escaping from immediate danger or persecution. It effectively conveys a sense of urgency and vulnerability.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeing" to describe situations where people are simply moving or relocating without a sense of immediate danger. Opt for words like "moving", "leaving", or "relocating" in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The term "fleeing" functions primarily as a present participle, often used to describe an ongoing action of running away from something dangerous or undesirable. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used in situations where urgency and danger are present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleeing" is a verb form used to describe the act of running away from danger. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. As the analysis shows, "fleeing" implies urgency and a significant threat, differentiating it from similar terms like "moving" or "migrating". When writing, it's important to reserve "fleeing" for situations involving genuine danger to accurately convey the gravity of the situation. Alternatives like "escaping" or "running away" can be used in similar contexts, with minor differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escaping

Focuses on the act of getting free from confinement or danger. Less emphasis on the reason for leaving.

running away

Implies a quick departure from a place or situation, often due to fear or trouble.

evacuating

Refers to an organized departure from a dangerous place, often involving a large group of people.

taking flight

A more figurative way of saying fleeing, often suggesting a sense of urgency or panic.

absconding

Suggests a secret departure, often to avoid legal consequences.

deserting

Implies abandoning a responsibility or duty, often in a military context.

retreating

Suggests moving back from an enemy or dangerous situation in a strategic manner.

withdrawing

Indicates a deliberate removal from a situation or place, often for strategic reasons.

decamping

Suggests leaving a camp or temporary residence suddenly or secretly.

scrambling

Suggests a hurried and disorganized departure, often in a chaotic situation.

FAQs

How to use "fleeing" in a sentence?

"Fleeing" is used to describe someone or something that is running away or escaping from danger. For example, "The refugees were fleeing the war-torn country".

What can I say instead of "fleeing"?

You can use alternatives like "escaping", "running away", or "taking flight" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fleeing" or "escaping"?

Both "fleeing" and "escaping" are correct, but "fleeing" often implies a greater sense of urgency and danger than "escaping". Use "fleeing" when emphasizing the immediate threat.

What's the difference between "fleeing" and "migrating"?

"Fleeing" implies escaping from immediate danger, while "migrating" refers to moving from one place to another, often for economic or personal reasons. People are "fleeing" a war zone but "migrating" for better job opportunities.