1
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
ran away from an unhappy marriage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the child runs away from large dogs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control
a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sweep
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runaway
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Cell phones, laptops, portable power banks, e-cigarettes, and hearing aids are just some of the many devices with the batteries that could malfunction, create a ‘thermal runaway’ and ignite a fire.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
After running out of ammunition in their handguns, the unknown man runs away from the scene westbound.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Magnificent Seven have reshaped the stock market The runaway success of the Seven has reshaped the stock market, with the Magnificent Seven at its core.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runaway
Verb
The main risk is that these batteries can overheat and go into thermal runaway, a chain reaction that occurs when a lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state—resulting in extremely high temperature, smoke and, ultimately, a fire that is notoriously difficult to put out.
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Cell phones, laptops, portable power banks, e-cigarettes, and hearing aids are just some of the many devices with the batteries that could malfunction, create a ‘thermal runaway’ and ignite a fire.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Daniel and Sophie’s falling in love messed with Nick’s plans to run away with the money; Daniel had planned to meet with the head of the police’s fraud unit to turn Nick in and cut a deal.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
After running out of ammunition in their handguns, the unknown man runs away from the scene westbound.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Now, Paudel and his team are searching for more of these runaway dwarf galaxies.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Magnificent Seven have reshaped the stock market The runaway success of the Seven has reshaped the stock market, with the Magnificent Seven at its core.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runaway
Verb
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Previously, the story followed Zagreus, the painfully cool son of Hades who spent his days making a break for the surface world to escape the overbearing grip of his father.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
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Despite sustaining some minor injuries — Ethan sustained several cuts, scrapes and bruises while Brandon sustained a small burn on his forehead and scarring on his hands — the pair escaped relatively unscathed, physically.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mike Bailey delivered a superkick to Dax Harwood, and Kevin Knight hit Cash Wheeler with a dropkick, sending FTR and Stokely retreating and ending the chaotic confrontation.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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When the sun sets, retreat to the hot tub.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Through USBs passed by hand, through cell phone speakers on crowded buses, through late-night parties backdropped by the sea, in the repartos, fiery and rampant, the genre made its name.—
Ana González Vilá,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
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Or the rampant crime and drug use in the South End around Mass and Cass.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The slam also came during the A’s only series sweep of the season at Sutter Health Park.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
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Ware also started alongside Adebayo in each of the four games during the Heat’s first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At least eight Salvadoran officials who had been investigating MS-13 and corruption, including some who had worked with Vulcan agents, fled the country after threats, harassment, and searches of their homes and offices.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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After the shootings, McFarlin fled to Mono County, where sheriff’s deputies arrested him.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Also, there is no Santa, but Alexia’s gay Jonny is there to trash-talk Todd once more before flying home to Spain.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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The weapon can also fly more than 45 miles to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The disease triggers nerve cells in parts of the brain to gradually break down and die, leading to uncontrolled movements, emotional or behavioral problems, and loss of cognition.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
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McVay has long declined to play his starters in the preseason, an uncontrolled environment with full contact and tackling risks injuries before the games even start to count.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Trojans, however, fell flat for the second consecutive week, as Byron Nelson (2-2, 1-1) seized a shocking 38-13 blowout victory on Friday.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Sep. 2025
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Between these competing parties and Stephanie’s big Christmas blowout, Julia has an event that is both for opera and foster care.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Runaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runaway. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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