1
as in to out
to drive or force out
the dog often ran off cats and other animals that had intruded upon his owner's property
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
their rebellious daughter's run off because she was disciplined again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the mouse ran off as soon as it saw us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fresh
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runoff
Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
The swimming area is usually closed until mid-summer to allow the spring runoffs to pass through.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 16 June 2025
Three girls were critically hurt when a Nissan ran off the road and slammed directly into their front yard lemonade stand, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for runoff
Verb
Carpenter informed them that local municipalities’ hands are tied by Indiana House Bill 1037, which prevents local entities from enacting into law any stormwater runoff standards on new construction that are more stringent than state laws.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
The swimming area is usually closed until mid-summer to allow the spring runoffs to pass through.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
Noun
The actor joined School of Communications E. Patrick Johnson in a shimmy on stage before running off stage and dancing with the crowd of graduates.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 16 June 2025
Three girls were critically hurt when a Nissan ran off the road and slammed directly into their front yard lemonade stand, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for runoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runoff
Verb
-
Rodrigo is not the only celebrity who has outed herself as a stan.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 June 2025
-
Those who were outed would not only lose their jobs, but their names were often published in newspapers, which could cost them their families and their livelihoods.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Police on Friday captured one of the New Orleans parish inmates who escaped six weeks ago in a jailbreak Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called the worst in recent state history.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
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In such places, summer becomes a never-ending fantasy, a pleasure dome that characters cannot escape.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Groups of demonstrators retreated to nearby streets, only to cut back and regroup near the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2025
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Many analysts believe Iran will retreat, reassemble its nuclear scientists and rebuild its program.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
In the meantime, keep those feeders sparkling clean and the nectar fresh.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
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The line up includes The Lox, Da Brat, GZA, Juvenile, Lupe Fiasco, MC Lyte, Fabolous, Xzibit and more with DJs: Jazzy Jeff, Mannie fresh, DJ Paul, DJ Scratch and others.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Home plate umpire Ramon De Jesus called strike three on Rockies outfielder Tyler Freeman, and he immediately got ejected after arguing the call.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 June 2025
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Until 2006, patent holders could presumptively obtain a court injunction that ordered infringers to stop using their invention (akin to a landowner’s legal right to eject trespassers camping on their property).—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The conflict entered its sixth night, as Israel and Iran traded airstrikes that have sent civilians fleeing for safety in Tehran and Tel Aviv.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
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Jurors found Read not guilty of murder, manslaughter and fleeing a deadly accident in a trial that stretched on for more than 30 days of testimony and four days of deliberations.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
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There are still questions about the cornerback position and the pass rush, but second-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will have his unit flying around the field making plays.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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Nearly two weeks ago, 62 carbon-spewing private jets reportedly flew world leaders into Kananaskis, Canada, for the G7 summit, raising serious questions about the travel choices of those who are supposed to be tackling climate change and other global crises.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Two and a half feet of rain beat down upon the face of the San Gabriels, wiping out the rustic resorts wedged into the canyons, and chuting runoff waters down onto the plain along ancient dry rivulets and freshets and canyons that Angelenos had forgotten or never known about.—
Patt MorrisonColumnist,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2023
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The Hudson River had a little current, fed by freshets from upstream with local rains, and melting snow farther up, in the Adirondacks.—
Ian Frazier,
The New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Runoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runoff. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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