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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After the shooting, Landry fled the residence and the military base, but he was later arrested during a traffic stop on Interstate 85 by the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026 -
The Sheriff's Office charged him with fleeing and eluding and reckless driving, while FHP filed additional charges.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Seeking a brief escape from the public grief that had engulfed her family, 34-year-old Jackie retreated to the White House family quarters and found the British royal entertaining her young son.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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Now, like in the Octagon, everyone has retreated to their corners.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The weather service also urged people to avoid windows, and if outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle to seek the closest substantial shelter and to protect themselves from flying debris.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
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The Cougars came out of the gate flying, with Ani Woodard registering a hat trick and Emma Whoriskey and Taylor Watts adding goals in the opening frame.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Too often, systems are bolted on in a rush to automate and end up becoming barriers rather than bridges.—
Jesper With-Fogstrup,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Often compliance systems are bolted on to existing processes, addressed sporadically and evaluated primarily in terms of their ability to prevent penalties.—
Leo Patching,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Challenge ahead Jackson’s victory was powered by a coalition of suburban and exurban Republicans attracted to his promise to run government like a business.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
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Wilber Urbina Garcia had an ambitious list of errands to run the day after his high school graduation, before his summer really began.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, young people are trying to escape algorithmic environments in search of true human connection.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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When play resumed, the Royals were an out away from escaping ninth-inning trouble.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
Verb
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That’s when the witness said Anthony pulled out a knife, stabbed Metcalf once, then ran away.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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The suspect then ran away with the card collection towards a waiting car occupied by two additional people, police said.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Maine South had scored five runs off junior right-handers Kaden Butt and Aksel McKnight.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
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The shooter ran off north toward 95th Street, police said.—
Desiree Evans,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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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 17 Jun. 2026.
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