Synonyms of run away

run away 1 of 3

verb

1

as in to escape

to get free from a dangerous or confining situation

ran away from an unhappy marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• escape
• flee
• run off
• fly
• get out
• break free
• leave
• clear out
• break out (of)
• abscond
• avoid
• move
• walk out
• pull out
• go
• sally (forth)
• evade
• lose
• lam
• exit
• take off
• depart
• elude
• shun
• shove (off)
• quit
• rescue
• bring off
• elope
• liberate
• disentangle
• release
• extricate
• spring
• decamp
• free
• loose
• loosen
• redeem
• emancipate
• enfranchise
• unbind
• manumit
• unfetter
• uncage
• unchain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remain
• stay
• dwell
• linger
• hang around
• abide
• stick around
• come back
• return
• tarry

2

as in to retreat

to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening

the child runs away from large dogs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retreat
• flee
• fly
• bolt
• run
• run off
• escape
• bug out
• beat a retreat
• turn tail
• hightail (it)
• break
• beat it
• make tracks
• get (away)
• get out
• skedaddle
• skip (out)
• light out
• make off
• clear out
• skirr
• abscond
• decamp
• elope
• scram
• lam
• scat
• scarper
• mizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• face
• confront
• dare
• beard
• defy
• remain
• stay
• brave
• dwell
• linger
• hang around
• abide
• stick around
• tarry

runaway

2 of 3

adjective

as in rampant

showing no signs of being under control

a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rampant
• uncontrolled
• unbridled
• unchecked
• abandoned
• unrestrained
• unbounded
• intemperate
• unhindered
• raw
• uncontrollable
• unhampered
• ungovernable
• riotous
• wild
• uninhibited
• barbaric
• hog wild

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• controlled
• hampered
• checked
• hindered
• restrained
• constrained
• governed
• temperate
• moderate
• curbed
• bridled
• tempered

runaway

3 of 3

noun

as in sweep

Related Words

• sweep
• blowout
• landslide
• capture
• romp
• conquest
• subjugation
• walkaway
• victory
• laugher
• win
• vanquishing
• mastery
• success
• triumph
• walkover
• palm
• shutout
• takeover
• squeaker

Dissimilar Words

• loss
• defeat
• beating
• whipping
• overthrow
• rout
• trimming
• failure
• upset
• disaster
• licking
• collapse
• washout
• decline
• debacle
• flop
• drubbing
• slump
• slip
• shellacking
• wane
• setback
• fizzle
• lurch
• nonsuccess

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of run away

Verb

Stefanía Arteaga, the co-executive director of Carolina Migrant Network, said she’s heard from people who hid in the forest and ran away in fear during the arrests. — Diamy Wang, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026

Relatives of a man fatally shot by Kansas City police last year have alleged in a wrongful death lawsuit that video from the officers’ body cameras and patrol vehicles shows the victim running away when he was shot. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Despite rapid progress, the idea that AI could improve itself in a runaway cycle remains unproven. — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

An at-risk, runaway 12-year-old boy was found safe and returned to his mother last week after last being seen on Armour Road in North Kansas City. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Noun

And police are more likely to classify a missing Black person as a runaway, leaving the case unreported, Moore said. — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

In a garbage bag, authorities discovered the runaway’s arms and legs. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026