as in fleeing
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 hightailing (it)
Verb
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The caller told dispatch workers that a white SUV was fleeing the scene.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026 -
Libya has been a main transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Glaciers all over the world -- especially in Antarctica -- are also retreating at a rapid pace, recent research shows.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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The alarmed father then began retreating while shouting for their daughter to drive away.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Explosions rang out in Tehran and low-flying jets could be heard for hours as the capital was pounded.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Come springtime in the Hamptons, the sight of large flocks of Canada geese, flying in V’s overhead or foraging in fields, brings mixed feelings.—
Emma Allen,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 then failed to get the Azzurri to the next year’s World Cup before bolting to take over Saudi Arabia’s national team.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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That was, until September 2024 when Gunner was sunbathing outside and suddenly spotted a bunny, bolting after it immediately.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Video shared by the department captured hoards of teens running away.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The suspect then jumped from around the corner and rushed the front door before running away.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police said the man battered a person inside the home before running off.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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One of the horses tripped over a curb and fell over, toppling over its rider before running off.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Her car was parked nearby and the engine was running.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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In 2006, Lamont, fueled by his personal fortune and some savvy political advisers, visited local Democratic party committees and immersed himself in the drudgery of running a statewide campaign.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Her baby's father answered the door with his eyes bugging out, and Frierson barged in to find two other guys, needles, spoons and powder on the table.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hightailing (it).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hightailing%20%28it%29. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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