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
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
Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 26 June 2025
This kind of business decision making puts your organization at risk of careening off the rails like a runaway train—or, just as bad, of stalling on the tracks completely.
—John Spencer-Taylor, Forbes.com, 26 June 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
Critics also doubted that AI systems could quickly improve themselves in the runaway way the report suggested and argued that solving AI alignment would likely be much harder and slower.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 26 June 2025
This kind of business decision making puts your organization at risk of careening off the rails like a runaway train—or, just as bad, of stalling on the tracks completely.
—John Spencer-Taylor, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for runaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runaway
Verb
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As the group began running to escape the bees, Karen Pierce estimated she was stung between 15 and 20 times, and Jeremy Pierce had been stung dozens of times.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
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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
Verb
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Many analysts believe Iran will retreat, reassemble its nuclear scientists and rebuild its program.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
24 June 2025
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Groups of demonstrators retreated to nearby streets, only to cut back and regroup near the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 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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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
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The Orioles completed a weekend sweep of Atlanta on Sunday.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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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
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
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Days later, Leyva reportedly fled to Madrid, citing concerns for his personal safety.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
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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Gunn’s approach is colorful, in both its palette and the costumes; proudly fantastical, with flying orbs, robots, portals, and giant monsters; and at times endearingly, intentionally corny (see: Krypto the super dog).—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.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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Pair this brush with your blow-dryer to refresh a second-day blowout.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
28 June 2025
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The National Transportation Safety Board just issued a report on the mid-flight blowout of a door plug on a flight last year on which airline?—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Runaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runaway. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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