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running away 1 of 2

noun

as in leaving

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running away

2 of 2

verb

present participle of run away
1
as in escaping
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation ran away from an unhappy marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retreating
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening the child runs away from large dogs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Verb
The would-be thief then fell to the ground before running away. — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 But, according to Jazmin, Nora had jumped out of the car at an intersection and started running away. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 After two shots, the bear reportedly rose and began running away. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026 And with the Brewers already a lock for the postseason and running away with the top overall seed, it's given rise to questions about the most advisable course of action for the 24-year-old. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Security camera footage shows the shocking moment flood water crashes through the Nepal-China border area, with people seen running away as the water appears to wipe out everything in its path. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 After nine consecutive losses against the Minnesota Lynx, the Valkyries finally broke through on Monday night in Minneapolis, setting the tone early and running away with the game late in the fourth quarter en route to a 80-66 win. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 Video shows the group, wearing overalls, pulling themselves out from underground and running away. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 This may cause a person to feel like running away or fighting back—flight or fight. — Michele Patterson Ford, Scientific American, 22 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running away
  1. leaving
  2. escaping
  3. retreating
  4. departure
  5. fleeing
  6. flying
  7. going
  8. getting out
Noun
  • Officers responded to a call about shots fired a few blocks away from Beale Street and saw a person armed with a gun leaving, said Memphis police.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Are there concerns in the club over Hughes and his leaving, and the effect of that on the planning and way this summer transfer window has gone?
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of leaving
Verb
  • Three weeks earlier, his army suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Long Island, escaping destruction only through a desperate nighttime evacuation across the East River.
    — Harry Ostrer, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Sacramento police are searching for an e-bike rider who led officers on a chase Tuesday afternoon before getting onto Highway 99 and escaping.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of escaping
Verb
  • But Jewish security is not achieved by retreating from the rest of New York.
    — Mark Treyger, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The Himalayas are warming rapidly, glaciers are retreating and rainfall and snowfall patterns are shifting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of retreating
Noun
  • In Barranquilla, an exclusive celebration at the embarkation point channels the city’s carnival, a convergence of African, Indigenous, and Spanish traditions brought to life through cumbia, mapalé, and color on every departure, year-round.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Sheeran addressed Macklemore’s departure with a statement explaining his shows aren’t political.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of departure
Verb
  • During the 1980s, Los Angeles saw another influx of Latin American immigration, including Mexicans and Central Americans fleeing poverty and war.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Following the incident, New Britain officials said witnesses reported seeing a vehicle fleeing the scene that was believed to possibly be involved.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of fleeing
Verb
  • The other seats are all chained to the table for when Carrie sends everything in the room flying.
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
  • In 1983, the 12m yacht Azzurra — flying the YCCS burgee — represented Italy for the first time in the long history of the America’s Cup, the oldest sports trophy in international sport, finishing third in the challenger series at its first attempt.
    — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of flying
Noun
  • If this doesn’t work for you, get your coat; there’s not much point in staying, as the going is only going to get weirder.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
  • In his first season after signing a three-year, $43-million deal in Chicago, he was significantly slowed by a knee injury in the early going.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of going
Verb
  • Looking at the slate today, there are a lot of good games, but some lines are getting out of hand because of the matchups.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • England piled up 254-4 after being put into bat in Southampton and that was mainly down to Brook, who has now scored 288 runs without getting out in the T20 format after unbeaten innings of 79 and 95 against India in July.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of getting out

Browse Nearby Words

running amok
running away
running by
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Cite this Entry

“Running away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20away. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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