1
as in escapes
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
ran away from an unhappy marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retreats
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the child runs away from large dogs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runs away
Garcia runs away screaming toward a third officer and drops the stick before he’s pushed down into a bed of bushes growing along the street curb.
—
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Best gets out of the vehicle, then runs away with police chasing after him.
—Dave Collins, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
In this delightfully science-minded historical fiction novel, one of the main characters runs away from her family to do astronomy while the other clocks up multiple major scientific expeditions under her belt.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
In this fluffy romance novel, burnt out pop star Amelia Rose runs away in the middle of the night to the Hallmark-worthy town of Rome.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The organ is dropped on the floor and a dog in the waiting room, who'd accidentally consumed marijuana, snaps it up and runs away with it.
—Ana Calderone, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Their away form is a conundrum for Howe, who, at different times, has presided over a Newcastle team that has gone on both long unbeaten and winless runs away from St James’ Park.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
When, as in this instance, 2,500 people vote on 50 names and one runs away with it, something else is at play.
—Anthony Shore, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Following the shooting, the individual jumps from a rooftop and runs away from the location.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Best gets out of the vehicle, then runs away with police chasing after him.
—Dave Collins, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
In this delightfully science-minded historical fiction novel, one of the main characters runs away from her family to do astronomy while the other clocks up multiple major scientific expeditions under her belt.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
In this fluffy romance novel, burnt out pop star Amelia Rose runs away in the middle of the night to the Hallmark-worthy town of Rome.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The organ is dropped on the floor and a dog in the waiting room, who'd accidentally consumed marijuana, snaps it up and runs away with it.
—Ana Calderone, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Their away form is a conundrum for Howe, who, at different times, has presided over a Newcastle team that has gone on both long unbeaten and winless runs away from St James’ Park.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
When, as in this instance, 2,500 people vote on 50 names and one runs away with it, something else is at play.
—Anthony Shore, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Following the shooting, the individual jumps from a rooftop and runs away from the location.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runs away
Verb
-
As Mundo escapes into his artistic work as an illustrator and Bruno falls in love, Diana pragmatically tries to prepare for a future that may not include her husband.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
25 May 2026
-
Worn with a long dress at summer weddings, on holiday escapes or merely on the morning commute, the flip-flop truly comes into its own.—
Natalie Hammond,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
The story centers on Zha, a janitor at a bankrupt, long-shuttered film studio who retreats into a virtual world, cultivating an online romance and dreaming of a voyage to the Moon.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
As Elliot retreats from the devastating reality of his illness, father and daughter are forced to confront the unspoken truths between them.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Margot goes to summon Professor Virgile, but the woman flees in her absence.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
-
So, Nawi flees on her wedding night.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
On Morrison For the launch of Ohio’s year-long, state-wide celebration of Toni Morrison, Namwali Serpell flies to Columbus to talk with poet and essayist Hanif Abdurraqib.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
The falcon flies up high overhead, spots a target below, folds its wings into a streamlined shape and then drops into a steep dive.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Tim David’s 12-ball 28 included two sixes as Bengaluru eased past 200 with 65 runs off the last five overs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
-
Hoerner was the only Cubs batter to get a hit until Michael Busch singled in the seventh and final inning for deGrom, who finished the game giving up no runs off three hits with 10 strikeouts.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Jon Hilsenrath, who runs the economic advisory firm Serpa Pinto and covered the Federal Reserve for 26 years at The Wall Street Journal, has puzzled over the same issue, and reads the silence as a form of triage.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
The Grand Canyon Railway runs daily between the town of Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of the canyon inside Grand Canyon National Park.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
When spinach bolts, the plant focuses its energy on producing flowers and seeds rather than leaves.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
-
If Leonard bolts, the Clippers will look to rebuild around young point guard Darius Garland, who came to the team in the Harden trade.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Runs away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runs%20away. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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