Synonyms of run off

run off 1 of 2

verb

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

• out
• eject
• chase
• cast out
• dismiss
• banish
• kick out
• turn out
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• expel
• turf (out)
• sack
• evict
• remove
• send packing
• shut out
• extrude
• read out
• rout
• oust
• give one the gate
• bounce
• fire
• exile
• deforce
• ostracize
• muster out
• expatriate
• dispossess
• can
• deport
• ax
• displace
• retire
• pink-slip
• terminate
• cashier
• release
• discharge
• defenestrate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• receive
• accept
• take
• take in
• admit
• welcome
• shelter
• house
• entertain
• lodge
• harbor

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

runoff

2 of 2

noun

as in fresh

Related Words

• fresh
• freshet
• creek
• arroyo
• brook
• rill
• rivulet
• stream
• wash
• watercourse
• bayou
• waterway
• race
• slough
• canal
• billabong
• streamlet
• burn
• runnel
• gill
• coulee
• brooklet
• cutoff
• tributary
• beck
• influent
• run
• bourn
• runlet
• millrace
• kill
• distributary
• channel
• millstream
• confluent
• affluent
• cut
• branch
• gut

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of run off

Verb

For far too many years, the most popular NBA analysts ran off vibes and nostalgia (correct pronunciation of foreign players’ names, not included). — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

All pruning cuts should be at an angle to help water run off the rose stem more quickly. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

In France, the far-right Rassemblement National is looking to the 2027 presidential race with its candidate, Marine Le Pen, having perhaps her strongest chance yet of winning after reaching the runoff in 2017 and 2022. — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

The message is proving to be popular with voters, and polls indicate Melenchon is headed for a runoff with far-right leader Marine ​Le Pen in next year’s presidential election. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026