1
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
ran away from an unhappy marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control
a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sweep
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runaway
Steve Buckley, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Shane Lowry was the last victor there six years ago, his Saturday 63 sparking a six-shot runaway and a party that may have only recently ended.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
The Tesla’s driver, later identified as Jimenez, then allegedly attempted to run away from the scene but was quickly arrested by CHP officers, according to investigators.
—Caleb Lunetta, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 July 2025
Among her peers, the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at an American university was the runaway first choice.
—Lavender Au, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for runaway
Verb
Perhaps that’s too strong, but the 24-year-old girlfriend of the 73-year-old North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick has now logged consecutive close-but-no-cigar finishes on the runaway.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Shane Lowry was the last victor there six years ago, his Saturday 63 sparking a six-shot runaway and a party that may have only recently ended.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Adjective
Lily rolled over, now, onto her back, away from her husband’s meticulous ledgers, and tried to capture her breath, which along with her heart, these days, had the habit of running away from her.
—Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
The Tesla’s driver, later identified as Jimenez, then allegedly attempted to run away from the scene but was quickly arrested by CHP officers, according to investigators.
—Caleb Lunetta, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
Noun
The state’s production community has been sounding the alarm on runaway production for years.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 July 2025
Among her peers, the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at an American university was the runaway first choice.
—Lavender Au, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for runaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runaway
Verb
-
For more than two decades, a special team of Mexican police officers has quietly worked along the northern border to track down and deport foreign fugitives who cross into Mexico to escape criminal charges in their home countries.—
Time,
Time,
9 July 2025
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Tanya Ramsey's brother and mother were staying in a cabin 100 yards away, and Jeff Ramsey's call to them gave them enough time to escape, Jake Ramsey said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
And in this story, Superman retreats from the world after being rejected by the public for adhering to an older moral code.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 July 2025
-
The nonsectarian center hosts retreats that range from 3 to 13 nights, for a wide variety of experience levels, with a central focus on Theravadin teachings and bodhicitta (striving to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings).—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
The speculation was rampant all around the league when news of James’ decision broke, with rival executives wondering if this was a precursor to a trade request (James, remember, has a no-trade clause and could thus control any such move).—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
-
Rybnik is one of Poland’s largest producers of coal, and with that abundance has come rampant consumption.—
Skylar Knight,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Drumming up another postseason push: After a sweep in LA, a fifth straight AL West title for the Astros seems inevitable.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 July 2025
-
The Orioles completed a weekend sweep of Atlanta on Sunday.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
In July 1987, flooding on the Guadalupe River in Kerr County forced hundreds of people to flee the area.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
In June, the U.N. said, more than 147,000 people fled their homes in the central region, once a bastion of safety for those trying to escape the horrors of the capital.—
Jacqueline Charles
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Passengers flying in the United States at certain airports are no longer required to take off their shoes when going through security lines, according to news outlets including CBS News and The New York Times on Monday.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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The officer was flown to a Fort Worth hospital for treatment and was later released.—
Anders Hagstrom , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The sheep, introduced over a century ago, grazed uncontrolled and destroyed nearly a third of the island's vegetation, leading to severe soil erosion and habitat degradation.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
-
By Thursday afternoon, the blaze continues to burn uncontrolled.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
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Then pick up the Dyson Airwrap for easy blowouts at home.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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For the most part, he's either entered a game as a defensive replacement, a pinch-runner, or as a pinch-hitter in a blowout.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Runaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runaway. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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