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

The sequence in the film involving Matt running away from a premiere continues with the character gazing horrified upon his oozing complexion in the reflection of a storefront window. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026

Helen is married to Menelaus but had run away to Troy, which was a precipitating reason for the Trojan War. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Adjective

The crisis of runaway production, both in California and nationwide, never seems to stray too far from the headlines thanks to what a political football the issue has become. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 July 2026

Cynteria’s killing — and the girl’s history of abuse — changed how child-welfare workers track runaway children. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Noun

If convicted, Martin is facing execution in the 2000 rape and murder of Cynteria Phillips, a 13-year-old runaway. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Marietta police ultimately arrested three teenagers, including one who was a runaway who was reunited with his family after the squatting incident but has now been arrested and faces juvenile charges. — Andre Butso, AJC.com, 9 July 2026