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
Relevance
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
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 off
The individual was seen on video jumping from a rooftop and running off campus.
—
Will Carless, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The theft was in plain sight, as photographs documented two men with a boltcutter running off with the sign.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
If her best friend, Enid (Emma Myers), pleads with her to consider the fates of her fellow students before running off to play detective, Wednesday will certainly ignore her.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
Crucially, given Dominic Solanke and Richarlison’s tendency to involve themselves in the build-up, having forwards running off the central strikers is imperative.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
His killer, who has not been caught, was last seen running off south on Third Ave.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2025
Will Carless, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The theft was in plain sight, as photographs documented two men with a boltcutter running off with the sign.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
If her best friend, Enid (Emma Myers), pleads with her to consider the fates of her fellow students before running off to play detective, Wednesday will certainly ignore her.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
Crucially, given Dominic Solanke and Richarlison’s tendency to involve themselves in the build-up, having forwards running off the central strikers is imperative.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
His killer, who has not been caught, was last seen running off south on Third Ave.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running off
Verb
-
This revealed that, even as the X-ray emissions of 4U 1630-472 were fading, the system was still ejecting material at an incredible 20 million mph (32 million kph) — about 3% the speed of light, and 15,000 times faster than the top speed of an F-16 jet fighter!—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Reportedly, moments later, a tractor-trailer hauling a load of sugar reportedly slammed into the van, ejecting her from the vehicle and pinning her underneath.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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
-
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
Verb
-
The panel, which Kennedy reshaped earlier this year by dismissing its members and appointing some vaccine skeptics, will convene Thursday and Friday in Atlanta.—
Adeola Adeosun
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
An Arizona inmate tricked court officials into releasing him more than two decades early by filing fake orders allegedly dismissing his charges.—
Suzanne Nuyen,
NPR,
10 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
-
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
Verb
-
Now the Razorbacks are chasing multiple scores for the first time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Through it all, commitment — whether to a client, a property, or the process — proved more valuable than chasing short-term gains.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Running off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20off. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share