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
Related Words
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
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Faced with no other conceivable options, Gladys ends the episode by running away from home and disappearing into the night.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 22 June 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
Officers immediately responded to the scene and were informed that a man wearing a black mask and all black clothing was seen running away, the affidavit states.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 June 2025
Faced with no other conceivable options, Gladys ends the episode by running away from home and disappearing into the night.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 22 June 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
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And not to get spoilery, but this book is part thriller, and the need to escape becomes quite literal.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
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Jeremiah Estrada promptly struck out Eugenio Suarez to escape that jam, and Adrián Morejón left the bases loaded the next inning with a strikeout of Marte.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
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
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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
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The rampant abuse of 9-year-old Owen started as early as June 2023 and continued up until his death Sept. 19, 2024 when police were called to the home for an unresponsive child, prosecutors said.—
Kate Linderman,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2025
Noun
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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
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Simmons is then accused of carjacking a vehicle from someone who was at the medical facility and fleeing the scene.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
-
Cuomo, pushing back on Mamdani’s proposals, claimed that the tax hikes would prompt many rich people and businesses to flee, thereby undermining the city’s tax base.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 June 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
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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
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By Thursday afternoon, the blaze continues to burn uncontrolled.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
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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
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Then pick up the Dyson Airwrap for easy blowouts at home.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
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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