as in to flee
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
when a fight broke out, we hightailed it out of the bar
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hightail (it)
Verb
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The cruel politics of South Carolina lawmakers are harming families and destroying a health care system as more and more providers flee the state.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025 -
Three Yale professors who study fascism are fleeing the U.S.—
Eric Lipton,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Escape Manhattan's relentless energy by retreating to a luxe hotel in Brooklyn.—
Malik Peay,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
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The project represents the state’s largest effort to date to address the environmental problems plaguing the Salton Sea, which has been steadily retreating and leaving growing stretches of dusty lake bottom exposed to the desert winds.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
Verb
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This puts it far ahead of current lock-on-target drone guidance in Ukraine which simply flies directly at the target.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Washington left the event shortly after the screening began, having flown to France for the festival on his sole day off, portraying the titular role in Broadway's latest production of Othello.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Two people accused of assisting the inmates who bolted from a New Orleans jail in last Friday's mass escape have been arrested as the search for fugitives still at large stetched into its sixth day, officials said.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
21 May 2025
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Hot temperatures cause plants to bolt or produce a flowering stem.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Finally, the Liberty got to enjoy the final piece of last year’s thrilling WNBA Finals run by watching the elusive title banner rise up to the rafters before Saturday’s 92-78 season-opening win against the Las Vegas Aces.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
18 May 2025
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In an administration currently running the lowest early-months public opinion rating in modern history, however, Vance’s forcefulness carries long-term risk.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Also, take some time to examine the perimeter of your yard to ensure any gates and fences are secure and don’t have any gaps through which your pup can easily escape.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Tens of thousands of Afghans pursued the special immigration process and escaped with the exit of U.S. forces, fearing retaliation up to death with the return of Taliban rule.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The documentary also reveals the story of Alison Chambers, who had run away from home.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
14 May 2025
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The group then moves up toward Union Avenue when the first male begins running toward the person who had punched him … when an unintended target is struck, and [the teen girl] immediately falls to the ground with a gunshot wound to the head as the other children run away for their lives.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Gordon has frequently run off attempts from Thunder second banana Jalen Williams, who’s struggled mightily in shooting 24% from the floor the last three games.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 May 2025
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The Dodgers went into the Wrigley Field crowd after a fan ran off with Chad Kreuter’s cap in the ninth inning of a 6-5 victory.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hightail (it).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hightail%20%28it%29. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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