1
as in to out
to drive or force out
the dog often ran off cats and other animals that had intruded upon his owner's property
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
their rebellious daughter's run off because she was disciplined again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the mouse ran off as soon as it saw us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fresh
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of run off
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In some cases, damage can happen as the snow melts, as remaining ice can prevent water from running off the roof, leading to pooling and leakage.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
In a Star-Telegram questionnaire returned ahead of the runoff, Rehmet said his policy priorities include fully funding public schools, helping Texans earn a living wage and addressing affordability issues like property taxes, home and rent costs, health insurance rates and the cost of groceries.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run off
Verb
Guendalina soon ran off with a croupier, taking her husband’s fortune with her, including, ironically, the family jewels.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In some cases, damage can happen as the snow melts, as remaining ice can prevent water from running off the roof, leading to pooling and leakage.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
Gang violence has prevented officials from holding elections so far, although they are tentatively set for August, with a runoff to be held in December.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
In a Star-Telegram questionnaire returned ahead of the runoff, Rehmet said his policy priorities include fully funding public schools, helping Texans earn a living wage and addressing affordability issues like property taxes, home and rent costs, health insurance rates and the cost of groceries.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for run off
Verb
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Not exactly the best of images to portray in the Hornets’ first outing on ESPN since April 25 — and first home ESPN matchup with fans in the stands since the 2018-19 season finale against Orlando.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2026
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Conversations are flowing fast, making your out-of-the-box ideas land effortlessly.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After a skirmish, Pretti escaped from the officer and went toward the crowd.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Event Horizon refers to the boundary of a black hole beyond which light can’t escape, according to the National Science Foundation.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Illinois lawmakers recently flirted with a tax on unrealized gains—think of stocks yet to be sold at fluctuating prices that only exist on paper—before retreating.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson was disinvited from the Grammy Awards telecast the following week and largely retreated from the public spotlight, while Timberlake’s career continued uninterrupted.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Dried thyme can be replaced with 1 tablespoon fresh.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Iris, jasmine, and galbanum give it its floral-meets-fresh-and-powdery finish.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The announcement came as the British government prepared legislation to eject Mandelson from the House of Lords and remove the noble title, Lord Mandelson, that came with his seat in the chamber.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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That was the game that saw Perry ejected just a few minutes in, followed by him having to make the long walk from the rink to the dressing room at the Cotton Bowl, spawning a million memes in the process.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The suspect fled the area before police arrived.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Salazarmontano also admitted sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter and inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
From brushing ice in curling to flying down an ice track headfirst in skeleton, the Winter Olympics are home to some unique and exciting sports that feature uncommon vernacular.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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Last November, the PLA Air Force released a video showing a GJ-11 flying alongside and linked with a J-20 stealth fighter.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Two and a half feet of rain beat down upon the face of the San Gabriels, wiping out the rustic resorts wedged into the canyons, and chuting runoff waters down onto the plain along ancient dry rivulets and freshets and canyons that Angelenos had forgotten or never known about.—
Patt MorrisonColumnist,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2023
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The Hudson River had a little current, fed by freshets from upstream with local rains, and melting snow farther up, in the Adirondacks.—
Ian Frazier,
The New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Run off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run%20off. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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