RUNNING AWAY Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

running away 1 of 2

noun

as in leaving

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Dissimilar Words

running away

2 of 2

verb

present participle of run away

as in escaping

to get free from a dangerous or confining situation ran away from an unhappy marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in retreating

to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening the child runs away from large dogs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Kaplan went on to say even if they aren’t severely injured, dogs can simply get scared and start running away. — Tanya Edwards, USA Today, 17 July 2026 The rescue comes as shelters across the region prepare for an influx of stray pets following Fourth of July celebrations, when fireworks often frighten dogs into running away from home. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 According to court records, Sevey allegedly began shooting at a group of four people running away, wounding a male juvenile in the leg. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 On Saturday, July 4, the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department rescued a dog that had fallen into a well after running away scared from the sound of fireworks. — Emily Harter, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 Crews were back out on Saturday to search for a man who Elgin police said was running away with a large knife and went into the Fox River after an incident Friday morning. — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 27 June 2026 The bear bit through flesh and bone, dragging him for about 20 feet before dropping him and running away. — Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026 The bear bit through flesh and bone, dragging him for about 20 feet before dropping him and running away. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026 Woman faceplants running away from bison. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for running away

Noun

There have been other senior exec exits, with All3 COO Sara Geater and Group Director of Corporate Development Steven Brown leaving.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 July 2026
Spurs finished 17th in each of the past two seasons and, while Gordon and Isak leaving was frustrating, that was also understandable.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of leaving

Verb

But no such rules exist to prevent AI agents from similarly escaping – even though the consequences could be catastrophic.

— Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
That fear came to a head when Crowley had her captured and her dad had to come find her after deftly escaping prison.

— Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Definition of escaping

Verb

But Americans want to know that colleges are responding with urgency to the crisis in our public life, not retreating from it.

— Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
In the second World Cup semifinal, England struck first, taking a 1-0 lead early in the second half and then retreating into a defensive shell.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 16 July 2026

Definition of retreating

Noun

One employee took responsibility for not catching the boys’ early and unapproved departure.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
And that made his recent comments about former Blue Jays coach Don Mattingly especially noteworthy, as his departure for the Philadelphia Phillies has raised questions about whether the Blue Jays batting order can succeed without him.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of departure

Verb

Garcia’s conviction included an enhancement for fleeing after committing a gross vehicular manslaughter and personally using a deadly weapon in the commission of the offense.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Godreque Newsom was accused of unintentionally killing 27-year-old Abari Meade in a car wreck and fleeing the scene.

— Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of fleeing

Verb

Breakker connected with a flying cross body over the barricade on Breakker as Cole talked up Evans developing an edge.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
But years later, some of the highest-flying professional clubs have folded due to financial mismanagement, and dozens of soccer officials have been banned or imprisoned, and numerous teams ensnared in an anti-graft campaign.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

For many actors, getting into character isn’t as big of a problem as getting out of one.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026
Most of the first episode gives us Lucky on the run, getting out of the hotel and out of Vegas, and across the tops of a field of big rigs.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of getting out

Browse Nearby Words

running amok

running away

running by

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Style

“Running away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20away. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of running away

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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