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
Relevance
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
Related Words
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 run off
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
The Hawks weren’t being run off the ice this time.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
In a Star-Telegram questionnaire returned ahead of the runoff, Rehmet said his policy priorities include fully funding public schools, helping Texans earn a living wage and addressing affordability issues like property taxes, home and rent costs, health insurance rates and the cost of groceries.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run off
Verb
The suspect pounces on Ennin while the victim is down and stabs him multiple times before running off.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
The Hawks weren’t being run off the ice this time.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
Gang violence has prevented officials from holding elections so far, although they are tentatively set for August, with a runoff to be held in December.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
In a Star-Telegram questionnaire returned ahead of the runoff, Rehmet said his policy priorities include fully funding public schools, helping Texans earn a living wage and addressing affordability issues like property taxes, home and rent costs, health insurance rates and the cost of groceries.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for run off
Verb
-
Not exactly the best of images to portray in the Hornets’ first outing on ESPN since April 25 — and first home ESPN matchup with fans in the stands since the 2018-19 season finale against Orlando.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Conversations are flowing fast, making your out-of-the-box ideas land effortlessly.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Austin Abrams stars as a scuba diver who, while searching for his father’s (Josh Brolin) body, gets swallowed and must find a way to escape.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Set in 1977, during Brazil’s military dictatorship, the thriller details Armando and his son in their efforts to escape the country in the midst of political turmoil.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trump’s remarks Wednesday, suddenly retreating from his threat of military force, could mitigate some of the damage inflicted on Washington’s most cherished relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Start the day with a swim in one of the hotel’s three infinity pools before retreating to the bar for a lunchtime cocktail, or the spa for pampering.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Dried thyme can be replaced with 1 tablespoon fresh.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Iris, jasmine, and galbanum give it its floral-meets-fresh-and-powdery finish.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During the crash, the man who was operating the tractor was ejected and pinned underneath it.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The motorcyclist was ejected and died at the scene of the crash, CHP Officer Jasmine Lopez said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
No one was injured, and the suspects fled before deputies arrived.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Other offenses include fleeing from police, escaping from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center, theft, trespassing and giving police a false name.—
Tom Olsen,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This is like ignoring weather conditions when flying an airplane.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Narcotraffickers have recruited a number of couriers to fly to Miami and other cities to set up phony businesses with corporate bank accounts, authorities say.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
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
-
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
“Run off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run%20off. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
