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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Graham isn’t the only member of Congress to be seen fleeing town as soon as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson allowed them.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026 -
Police said Wang had slashed their throats and concocted a story about arriving home and shooting at a fleeing intruder responsible for the killings.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ndiaye also declined to clear the ball, instead trying to thread a pass to retreating teammate Jake Dengler inside the 18-yard box.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Police said security footage from the store shows customers staring and retreating before 53-year-old Tammy Canut of North Huntingdon walks into the frame naked.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fort Collins now has drones flying the city nearly every day as a resource to the police, fire and utilities departments.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Meteor showers such as the Lyrids can be tracked yearly, because the debris flying through the night sky in fiery streaks is coming from the same comet.—
Hali Smith
March 31,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 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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But running away from her stress didn't help.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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While the group of people were running away, prosecutors said Gorman was shot in the upper back.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Police said the man hit the woman in the head before running off.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The ground is saturated from last weekend’s major storm, so water is running off quickly and causing more serious flooding.—
Ritu Prasad,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The field includes current legislators Manny Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Jalen Anderson and Donna Peyton, all running for re-election.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
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The Dodgers’ star shortstop left Saturday’s game after running the bases in the first inning and feeling pain in the right side of his lower back.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
5 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 6 Apr. 2026.
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