runaround

play

noun run·around \ ˈrə-nə-ˌrau̇nd \

Definition of runaround

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)

See runaround defined for English-language learners

See runaround defined for kids

Recent Examples of runaround from the Web

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
Servicers are giving them the runaround in ways that can hamstring their progress.

— erin arvedlund, Philly.com, "Muni bond holder? Watch for a possible Illinois credit downgrade," 26 June 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
Complaining that Apple doesn’t make a cheap, bargain basement MacBook is like moaning that BMW doesn’t make a $6000 runaround.

— charlie sorrel, WIRED, "On Macs, iPods, Recession and Pricing," 14 Oct. 2008

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

Medical Dictionary

runaround

play

noun run·around \ ˈrən-ə-ˌrau̇nd \

medical Definition of runaround

:a whitlow encircling a fingernail or toenail

Learn More about runaround

See words that rhyme with runaround

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up runaround? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

runaround

Definition of runaround

Recent Examples of runaround from the Web

First Known Use of runaround

Medical Dictionary

runaround

medical Definition of runaround

Learn More about runaround

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

shofar

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Let's Talk 'Tea'

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Silent Letters

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Name That Thing

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Let's Talk 'Tea'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Words of the Year: 1066

runaround

Definition of runaround

Explore M-W

Recent Examples of runaround from the Web

First Known Use of runaround

Phrases Related to RUNAROUND

Related Phrases

Medical Dictionary

runaround

medical Definition of runaround

Learn More about runaround

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Let's Talk 'Tea'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Words of the Year: 1066