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
as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control
a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sweep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Will Ripley, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
However, a double from Harvey Barnes and a 77th-minute strike from Bruno Guimaraes meant Newcastle ran away with the match after the break.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Natasha Turak, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025
Image Image Wands for amateur witches and wizards have been a runaway hit for Universal at its older parks.
—Todd Anderson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which pose risks of thermal runaway, this company’s materials provide thermal stability and superior safety.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run away
Verb
Back in 2017, the journey to Paektu took us through remote farming villages where children ran away from our cameras — some likely having never seen a foreigner.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
However, a double from Harvey Barnes and a 77th-minute strike from Bruno Guimaraes meant Newcastle ran away with the match after the break.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Economists are concerned that investor confidence is being dealt a blow that will undo the last roughly 21 months of work by Turkey’s finance leaders in returning to orthodox monetary policy and turning around the country’s runaway inflation problem.
—Natasha Turak, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025
Image Image Wands for amateur witches and wizards have been a runaway hit for Universal at its older parks.
—Todd Anderson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
Police believe that the teen, who was a frequent runaway and the mother to an 11-month-old baby, was staying at the home with Gress and his domestic partner, 37-year-old Michelle Brandes.
—Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which pose risks of thermal runaway, this company’s materials provide thermal stability and superior safety.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for run away
Verb
-
If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Shapiro and his family fled their home at 2 a.m. on April 13 to escape the fire, which caused significant damage to the governor's mansion.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Yankees’ second baseman then threw his helmet before retreating to the clubhouse.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Instead of an opportunity to gawk and marvel, The Silent Twins presents these two sisters — who retreated inside themselves and spoke only to each other for years — with a sense of complete individuality and autonomy.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Of course, there has also been rampant speculation that Styles could be the latest marquee WWE star to jump ship to AEW.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Obviously the rampant physical comedy benefits from a lot of special effects and stunts.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Perez was an extra-bases machine in the Royals’ doubleheader sweep of the Rockies at Kauffman Stadium.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
25 Apr. 2025
-
On Wednesday, the UFC's brass decided to cut ties with Alexander and three others in the latest roster sweep.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Fellow dictatorships including Russia, China, North Korea, Cuba, and Iran lined up behind Maduro while Gonzalez fled the country during the reign of state terror against dissidents that followed the election.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Apr. 2025
-
April 19: McVeigh parks the truck outside the federal building and flees on foot to his getaway car.—
Todd Pendleton,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Conerly and several family members flew from Seattle to the other Washington.—
Ben Standig,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Chicago nearly tied it when Edgar Quero flew out to deep right field on a ball Lawrence Butler caught right in front of the wall.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Keep your fingers crossed as this uncontrolled experiment is getting bigger each passing day.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Sepsis is a condition that leads to uncontrolled inflammation in the body and sometimes organ failure.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Unless there’s a true blowout team performance, chefs who did great dishes inevitably provide cover for chefs who whiffed it — or vice versa, since losing chefs can tank a team and make chefs who nailed it ineligible for the win.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Comments Even when a blowout hotel isn’t in the budget, a fabulous night’s stay is within reach at these 15 properties, all of which come in at less than $300 a night.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Run away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run%20away. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share