1
as in ejecting
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in escaping
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
their rebellious daughter's run off because she was disciplined again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flying
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the mouse ran off as soon as it saw us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of running off
As eyewitnesses, police body cameras and a police helicopter recorded the scene, Husien briefly got into the sergeant’s police SUV before running off as dozens of gunshots were fired.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
In some cases, damage can happen as the snow melts, as remaining ice can prevent water from running off the roof, leading to pooling and leakage.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
The animal remained motionless on the asphalt for a time before eventually running off.
—City News Service, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Beck was seen running off the field without meeting his opponents for a postgame handshake.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Investigators said a man walked up to the car and fired shots before running off.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The next progression is running off makes, the Holy Grail for transition teams because taking the ball out of the net gives the defense more time to retreat.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
The shadow here would be chasing escapism… running off to find harmony somewhere else instead of tending to what’s right in front of you.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 12 Oct. 2025
Both were terrible, and Rosenthal had a history of running off qualified baseball people during his 21-year run with the team.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
In some cases, damage can happen as the snow melts, as remaining ice can prevent water from running off the roof, leading to pooling and leakage.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
The animal remained motionless on the asphalt for a time before eventually running off.
—City News Service, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Beck was seen running off the field without meeting his opponents for a postgame handshake.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Investigators said a man walked up to the car and fired shots before running off.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The next progression is running off makes, the Holy Grail for transition teams because taking the ball out of the net gives the defense more time to retreat.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
The shadow here would be chasing escapism… running off to find harmony somewhere else instead of tending to what’s right in front of you.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 12 Oct. 2025
Both were terrible, and Rosenthal had a history of running off qualified baseball people during his 21-year run with the team.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running off
Verb
-
The other imaged nova, V1405 Cassiopeiae, seemed to unfold in spectacular slow motion, taking more than fifty days before finally ejecting all of its exploded material.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
21 Jan. 2026
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Protostars are messy and dynamic, gulping down material in spurts and fits and ejecting powerful outflows of wind and jets that punch into the surrounding clouds.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There will be little escaping the cold over the next week, while outside, temperatures most mornings dip to 0° or below.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The hot-button epic, which premiered in Toronto, follows a young man named Yusuf who gets caught up in political upheaval as tensions rise in Jerusalem and his village amid British crackdowns prompted by the arrival of Jewish immigrants escaping antisemitism in Europe.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Quayle said that partially because of new restrictions on Newark flying, United will have aircraft available.—
Ted Reed,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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However, on January 29, the Black Hawk was flying following an FAA memorandum which allowed it to be turned off.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While skepticism toward artificial intelligence is understandable, dismissing AI as inherently harmful overlooks both history and reality.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
If doubts appear from seemingly nowhere, make a point of uncovering their roots before dismissing them.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At that same time, Daniels-Strickland allegedly turned and pulled out a handgun from his waistband and fired an unknown number of shots at Clark, Knowles and another person before fleeing the area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In Miami, an 88-year-old survivor remembers fleeing on foot at age four, forced into cattle cars and sent to Siberia.—
Talia Kaplan,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The film’s opening stretch whizzes along as Charli — a natural, engaging actor — is dragged from one banal, vaguely embarrassing meeting or negotiation to another, sketchy vignettes usually punctuated at their close by Charli putting on her dark sunglasses and retreating back inward.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s remarks Wednesday, suddenly retreating from his threat of military force, could mitigate some of the damage inflicted on Washington’s most cherished relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Color design is increasingly moving from trend-chasing choices to intentional restraint.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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You’re being called to lead, build and commit to a long-term vision, rather than just chasing the next spark of inspiration.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Police said in each incident, the suspect breaks in through the back door and steals jewelry, clothes, and electronics before running away.—
Natalie Goldstick,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Morales grabbed a patio chair to fend off his attackers before running away with his assailants in tow, prosecutors said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Running off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20off. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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