runaround

noun run·around \ ˈrə-nə-ˌrau̇nd \

1 : deceptive or delaying action especially in response to a request

tired of getting the runaround

2 : matter typeset in shortened measure to run around something (such as a cut)

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Recent Examples of runaround from the Web

The Gunners created little chances after that and faced a few nervy moments from Forest striker Ben Brereton, who gave the clunky Mertesacker the runaround for a lot of the half.

— SI.com, "FA Cup Classic Sees Nottingham Forest Victorius Against Arsenal," 7 Jan. 2018
All three of us teachers asked for copies of the air quality report and were given the runaround.

— caitlin r. mcglade, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Database: What Broward teachers say about the mold issue in their classrooms," 31 Aug. 2017
The two are arguably the quickest wingers in the Premier League, and will no doubt both be giving several of the division's full-backs the runaround in 2017/18.

— SI.com, "Electric Liverpool Winger Sadio Mane Reveals Who Would Win in a Race Between Him & Mohamed Salah," 1 Aug. 2017
Could be a lot of running required Monday, given the 134th-ranked Bublik's penchant for sliced returns, drop shots, lobs and runaround forehands from midcourt.

— howard fendrich, courant.com, "A Lot Going On For Murray As Wimbledon Defense Begins," 2 July 2017
The idea is rooted in a belief that less federal oversight will cut bureaucratic runaround and trim wasteful spending.

— shefali luthra, Kaiser Health News, "Seesawing Family Income Threatens Kids’ Medicaid Coverage In Texas," 16 June 2017
Bohne said the project’s opponents encountered either unresponsive ears or were given the runaround.

— Washington Post, "Albanians NGO files lawsuit against park hydropower project," 29 May 2017
The agency alleges that rampant errors and runarounds — including ignoring customer complaints and wrongly initiating foreclosures on at least 1,000 people — cost some borrowers money and others their homes.

— becky yerak, chicagotribune.com, "Ordered to halt business, Ocwen Financial fights back against state regulators," 15 May 2017
While Jackie gets the runaround from various Acme personnel, including an imperious Lexi (Mandy Rose Nichols), Jules intrigues and exasperates an odd-couple lab partner pair, Remy and Dee (Madison Jane Jones and Gianni Truzzi).

— dusty somers, The Seattle Times, "Review: Meep, meep! Annex makes way for some cartoonish capitalist commentary," 2 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'runaround.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of runaround

1915

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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runaround

noun run·around \ ˈrən-ə-ˌrau̇nd \

: a whitlow encircling a fingernail or toenail

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