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
The man eventually ran away down Williams' quiet neighborhood and took off his outfit just minutes before the Livonia Police showed up.
—
Heath Kalb, CBS News, 14 May 2026
The driver and sole occupant of the Chevrolet ran away from the crash and has not been identified our found, Gonzalez said.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
PragueReuters — An unknown thief snatched an 800-year-old skull believed to be of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk from a display box in a church in the northern Czech Republic and ran away with the relic, police said on Wednesday.
—CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Both men in the car got out through the passenger side door and ran away.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
The man ran away but officers located him and took him into custody.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
This Daisy ran away from her two dads, acquiring a rap sheet for petty theft along the way.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
As the driver ran away, Long took photos of the fleeing man, who was later arrested and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Police said the father knocked the stroller over onto the sidewalk in Times Square and ran away.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Heath Kalb, CBS News, 14 May 2026
The driver and sole occupant of the Chevrolet ran away from the crash and has not been identified our found, Gonzalez said.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
PragueReuters — An unknown thief snatched an 800-year-old skull believed to be of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk from a display box in a church in the northern Czech Republic and ran away with the relic, police said on Wednesday.
—CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Both men in the car got out through the passenger side door and ran away.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
The man ran away but officers located him and took him into custody.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
This Daisy ran away from her two dads, acquiring a rap sheet for petty theft along the way.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
As the driver ran away, Long took photos of the fleeing man, who was later arrested and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Police said the father knocked the stroller over onto the sidewalk in Times Square and ran away.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ran away
Verb
-
Stray bits of hair escaped my ponytail and stung my eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
The injured duckling was treated at a veterinary clinic while the other ducklings escaped the area with the mother duck.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the last four years, carriers have retreated from the state entirely or have paused writing new policies.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
In an attempt to spark inspiration for a new Little Death origin story, Kris pays a visit to the present-day Billy, played by a regal, knowing Gillian Anderson, who retreated from public life after that first installment and whom Kris hopes to persuade to appear in her reboot.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Tanya Veluz fled the Eaton Fire with her 10-year-old as ash and embers rained down.—
Aarne Heikkila,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
Refugees fled south as communist troops stormed down Highway 1, heading for the nation’s capital, Saigon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Fey said as her daughter laughed and ran off.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
Jansen then reportedly ran off to avoid being captured.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The company contrasts this with many other AI assistants, which are often bolted onto existing tools.—
Ellen Sheng,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
As soon as the friend left the room, Panettiere bolted.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Wow, that fire got out of control fast!—
William Earl,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
But my mechanics got out of whack.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
International visitors will undoubtedly flock to run the famous Rocky steps, before taking a bite of one of the city’s iconic cheesesteaks at Geno’s.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
The desire for immortality is really a desire for liberation from the claustrophobia of our own minds, not a physiological discovery about how to keep our bodies running longer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ran away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran%20away. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
