run away 1 of 3

verb

Definition of run awaynext
1
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation ran away from an unhappy marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening the child runs away from large dogs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

runaway

2 of 3

adjective

as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

runaway

3 of 3

noun

as in sweep

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of run away
Verb
However, on the touchdown run against Tampa Bay, Allen showed his explosiveness by running away from defenders on the outside. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 The suspect ran away from the scene but was arrested on a misdemeanor. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Nixon resigned 52 years ago this month, marking an end to the scandal, but bringing no such catharsis to our national life and no stop to the runaway presidency. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 That’s because Dave the Diver, Mintrocket’s runaway hit and arguably the best hunting-sushi restaurant hybrid game ever made, finally comes to iOS and Android. — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
And police are more likely to classify a missing Black person as a runaway, leaving the case unreported, Moore said. — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 In a garbage bag, authorities discovered the runaway’s arms and legs. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for run away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for run away
  1. escape
  2. retreat
  3. rampant
  4. sweep
  5. flee
  6. fly
  7. uncontrolled
  8. blowout
Verb
  • The bear scratched his arm, and the victim tripped and injured his foot while trying to escape, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Roy can’t escape one difficult question, however, concerning his plans for what’s next after his contract’s up at the end of the season.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of escape
Verb
  • Netanyahu says Israel will not retreat from any of its positions in Gaza until Hamas has been completely disarmed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • When the Hills couple faced financial issues after the show ended, the two retreated to Pratt’s parents’ beach home in Carpinteria, California, to get back to regular life.
    — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of retreat
Adjective
  • The data centers that power artificial intelligence are being built at a rampant pace, and are spurring resistance all over the country.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In at least one instance, a guard was convicted of rampant abuse over roughly a decade and sentenced to 224 years in prison.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rampant
Noun
  • Luis Arraez homered, Garrett Stubbs had two hits and an RBI and Aaron Nola tossed seven strong innings as the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, 4-1 on Wednesday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Kiké Hernández also went deep and Kyle Tucker had two hits as the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sweep
Verb
  • After Bridegan was shot in the street, prosecutors have said, one person fled on foot and another fled in a vehicle, WJXT reported.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Luwi, who moved into Gajdusek’s house after Koiye fled it, spent years keeping his distance from his uncle, so as not to attract suspicion, too.
    — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of flee
Verb
  • So a new grant, under the early-stage NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, aims to create small, flying vehicles that could explore those caves.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • When not searching for glass floats, enjoy other pastimes like tide pooling, beachcombing, and kite flying (home to two kite festivals, Lincoln City calls itself the Kite Capital of the World).
    — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of fly
Adjective
  • The Carlisle airport is uncontrolled airport, meaning there is no air traffic control tower or controllers on site.
    — Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • According to a news release, the project reduces the risk of an uncontrolled channel change caused by decades of erosion near the confluence of the Arkansas and White rivers.
    — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncontrolled
Noun
  • After finally getting a day off Monday, the Brewers delivered their 22-0 blowout of Seattle that matched the most one-sided shutout in modern MLB history.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • That sent Erceg back into a role for lower-leverage situations — blowouts or with Kansas City facing multi-run deficits.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of blowout

Browse Nearby Words

runaround
run away
runaway
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Run away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run%20away. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on run away

Nglish: Translation of run away for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All