1
as in escaping
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
ran away from an unhappy marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retreating
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the child runs away from large dogs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in leaving
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of running away
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Stunned spectators gasp and scream before people start running away.
—Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Attendees have also shared video footage of students on campus running away from the sound of gunshots.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The other one is connected to civilization and is about constantly running away, going to places.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Video from Deir al-Balah showed people running away from a large plume of smoke.
—Andrew Jones, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025
Sydney Sweeney plays a waitress named Penny Jo Poplin, who works at a diner, worships Dolly Parton, and dreams of running away to Nashville to become a country-music star, in Americana, an indie that premiered at SXSW in 2023 but is only reaching theaters this week.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Despite the care team's best efforts to coax Mars out of the water, the playful baby hippo remained stubborn, lying down and even running away from his handlers.
—Eric Noll, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2025
The mother told deputies that Waupoose returned to the home after running away a few days before and was upset his mom deleted rap videos off his YouTube account, according to a criminal complaint, the news outlet reported.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Videos circulating online showed the gruesome scene as Kirk slumped over, and people ducked to the ground before running away and huddling in nearby buildings.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Stunned spectators gasp and scream before people start running away.
—Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Attendees have also shared video footage of students on campus running away from the sound of gunshots.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The other one is connected to civilization and is about constantly running away, going to places.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Video from Deir al-Balah showed people running away from a large plume of smoke.
—Andrew Jones, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025
Sydney Sweeney plays a waitress named Penny Jo Poplin, who works at a diner, worships Dolly Parton, and dreams of running away to Nashville to become a country-music star, in Americana, an indie that premiered at SXSW in 2023 but is only reaching theaters this week.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Despite the care team's best efforts to coax Mars out of the water, the playful baby hippo remained stubborn, lying down and even running away from his handlers.
—Eric Noll, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2025
The mother told deputies that Waupoose returned to the home after running away a few days before and was upset his mom deleted rap videos off his YouTube account, according to a criminal complaint, the news outlet reported.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running away
Verb
-
In that film, Redford plays Forrest Tucker, a real-life career criminal known for escaping from prison several times and for committing a string of audacious bank robberies well into his later years.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Earth saw a strong geomagnetic storm Sunday night, NOAA reported, reaching a G3 (on a scale of 5) due to the impact of solar winds escaping from a cooler, dense region of the Sun.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With a signature bright plum lip and highlight in her hair, Williams, 61, kept her people close but didn't shy away from the camera, allowing the fashion week photogs to capture her for a solid 15 minutes before retreating to one of the presentation's regal showrooms.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
-
That is because buyers have been retreating from the market due to ongoing affordability issues, including still-rising home prices, historically elevated mortgage rates, and growing economic concern linked to government policies.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Sue threatens to call the police and an emotional Santana then shoves her backward into a bookshelf in the corner of her office before appearing slightly surprised at her own behavior and leaving.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Cooper wasn't the only star leaving, as Khalil Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears before the NFL deadline as well.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bolsonaro is under house arrest, surrounded by guards to prevent him from fleeing to a foreign embassy to request asylum.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Campuses are also a common site for hoax active shooter reports, which often causes mass panic and sends students fleeing for safety.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The final result needed to be invisible, weightless, scentless, and makeup-gripping, all of which were achieved with flying colors—actually, with no color at all since the formula is completely clear on all skin tones.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Before flying, check your airline’s website for more details on what’s allowed.—
Jessie Beck,
AFAR Media,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His exit, which was was first reported by The Wall Street Journal earlier this month, was part of a string of high-profile departures at Musk's AI startup.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Running constant checks on gate numbers and departure times.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To optimize for this strategic interest, some GPs are getting out in front of potential roadblocks to exit, proactively reviewing and addressing qualitative portfolio-company issues such as shifting management team dynamics, regulatory impacts, and potential effects of tariffs.—
Control Risks,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
At the investor meeting, Sandeep Seth, chief growth officer and president, said the exercise of redefining the target market opens the company’s brands to focus specifically on consumer opportunities, like women just getting out of school.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This does not mean bolting on new features to your existing products, nor hiring an AI person here or there.—
Barry Libert,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
As reports from the Ukraine war show, taking a drone and bolting a Claymore mine to it isn't new.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Running away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20away. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share