1
as in escaped
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
ran away from an unhappy marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retreated
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the child runs away from large dogs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ran away
Authorities say Freeman ran away from the vehicle.
—
Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
One of the residents of the apartment can be seen returning and appeared to point a gun before the two ran away into a different room.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Carolina ran away with the Metropolitan Division title and top spot in the East, going 53-22-7 to clinch its eight consecutive playoff berth.
—John Wawrow, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Joel Medina, 17, ran away from home in the area of 4th Avenue behind the Shore Mall off of West Jersey, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department said on March 20.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
After a few months, Xi could no longer stand the isolation and hardship and ran away.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors said Gorman was shot in the upper back while the group of friends ran away from Medina-Medina.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
When detectives got out of their car, the boys ran away.
—David Goodhue
april 3, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
After the victim pushed back, the man ran away and fled in a black Kia sedan.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
One of the residents of the apartment can be seen returning and appeared to point a gun before the two ran away into a different room.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Carolina ran away with the Metropolitan Division title and top spot in the East, going 53-22-7 to clinch its eight consecutive playoff berth.
—John Wawrow, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Joel Medina, 17, ran away from home in the area of 4th Avenue behind the Shore Mall off of West Jersey, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department said on March 20.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
After a few months, Xi could no longer stand the isolation and hardship and ran away.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors said Gorman was shot in the upper back while the group of friends ran away from Medina-Medina.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
When detectives got out of their car, the boys ran away.
—David Goodhue
april 3, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
After the victim pushed back, the man ran away and fled in a black Kia sedan.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ran away
Verb
-
Animal rights activists questioned whether the wolf could survive outside the zoo and also worried it might be killed during capture, something that happened to a puma that escaped from the same zoo in 2018.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Another novel aspect is that Yarris escaped from custody in 1985, only to be quickly recaptured in Florida and sent back to death row in Pennsylvania.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The result of days of negotiations Thursday’s proceedings came to a standstill as lawmakers retreated behind closed doors and Johnson reached for an agreement to resolve the standoff.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Baker retreated up another flight up stairs and called out to Rivera, who was on the floor below his perch.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Police said the group stole an ATM and fled in a dark SUV.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Police said the driver fled the scene after the collision.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The killer ran off east on Eastern Parkway and has not been caught.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Atlanta ran off 11 straight to cut it to 106-98, but Towns scored to restore the double-digit lead.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chesney the Kangaroo’s Close Calls and Cold-Water Dash The team managed to get close to Chesney twice, but the frightened kangaroo bolted both times.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The pair bolted for a taxi, and Hooker stayed overnight at a local hotel.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The suspect got out of the vehicle and ran away when shots were fired.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Officers followed the car to 18th Avenue near Oak Street, where the car finally stopped and a passenger got out and fled on foot.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The injury occurred while running the bases, so Soto has to be able to slow down, speed up and round the bases before returning to play.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The event was created by three women inspired after running monthly 5Ks — now turning that passion into something bigger.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ran away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran%20away. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
