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
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
Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
In Game 1 on Thursday, Eaton recorded 4 home runs, 2 by Erin Jacinto, to run away from the Falcons 10-0 in 5 innings.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2026
Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
With full transparency, employers can ensure their health plans maintain billing and payment integrity, spot overcharges, and reverse runaway premiums.
—Jordan Bruneau, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
The Masters looked like a runaway through two days.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run away
Verb
The driver responsible for the crash — who drove a white Jeep, ran away from the scene and headed north on Vista del Mar.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
In Game 1 on Thursday, Eaton recorded 4 home runs, 2 by Erin Jacinto, to run away from the Falcons 10-0 in 5 innings.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2026
Adjective
Banchero, who missed two dunks in the first half, connected on a runaway slam that put Orlando ahead of Detroit by 11 points three minutes into the second half.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
With full transparency, employers can ensure their health plans maintain billing and payment integrity, spot overcharges, and reverse runaway premiums.
—Jordan Bruneau, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
Thermal runaway has long been a challenge in battery technology, especially in lithium-ion batteries, which typically use flammable electrolytes.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
The Masters looked like a runaway through two days.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for run away
Verb
-
But, though the guns of war were a decade in the past, the nation had not escaped the spectre of conflict.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The show follows a couple who accidentally wander into Schmigadoon, a town where every day is a musical and the only bridge to escape leads to nowhere.—
Caroline Killilea,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The Wolves will retreat to their corner, bandage some wounds and aim to actually come out swinging Friday after cowering in the corner for the bulk of Game 2.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
-
As Elliot retreats from the devastating reality of his illness, father and daughter are forced to confront the unspoken truths between them.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Amid rampant social media speculation, a spokesperson for the investment company has said that Fidelity is actually growing and that the changes to its technology and product operating model are not about cutting costs.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
-
Billboards strike me as an obvious metonym for our rampant consumerism, but maybe that, too, is only half the picture.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
So did the Boston Red Sox, who pulled off a 4-0 win to complete their first series sweep of the season.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
-
That swing propelled the Rockies to a 6-2 win over the Mets on Thursday at Coors Field, avoiding a sweep and snapping a six-game losing streak.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
One of the drivers involved fled the scene on foot before first-responders arrived, according to authorities.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
The driver fled, and deputies followed.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The passenger's 69-year-old wife leaves and flies to South Africa.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Passengers were already paying more to fly – even before the industry lost the budget airline famous for pushing fares lower.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
The measure to authorize the culling of 80 of these specimens is due to the uncontrolled growth of the invasive species in the Magdalena River basin, said Minister Vélez when announcing the decision.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Leaving the house or making a left hand turn at an uncontrolled light can fill me with terror.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On the women’s side, where blowouts are many and upsets rare, some of those first-round games figure to be can’t-watch TV.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
Pick up Martha Stewart’s go-to glow-boosting makeup hack, the L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion, to shine this season, along with the coveted Dyson Airwrap to get salon-quality blowouts at home.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Run away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run%20away. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
