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 Louderback was running off the field, he was told by several people, including MU coach Bob Stull, that there had been a fifth down.
—
Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Watering plants in pots takes much less time because all the water goes directly to the roots, instead of running off the soil surface.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
The water running off the farm tested thousands of times higher than federal drinking water standards for forever chemicals.
—Dylan Jackson, ABC News, 6 May 2026
Rivas was 13 when she was last seen by her family earlier that month, prior to running off for the second time.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
That allows water to soak in more effectively instead of running off — a real benefit in suburban yards where soil compaction is common.
—Ryan Brennan
may 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
By loosening that structure, dandelions help rainwater penetrate deeper rather than running off the surface.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
This will allow rain to soak down into the aquifers, instead of running off into storm drains and into the ocean.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
One of the horses tripped over a curb and fell over, toppling over its rider before running off.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2026
Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Watering plants in pots takes much less time because all the water goes directly to the roots, instead of running off the soil surface.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
The water running off the farm tested thousands of times higher than federal drinking water standards for forever chemicals.
—Dylan Jackson, ABC News, 6 May 2026
Rivas was 13 when she was last seen by her family earlier that month, prior to running off for the second time.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
That allows water to soak in more effectively instead of running off — a real benefit in suburban yards where soil compaction is common.
—Ryan Brennan
may 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
By loosening that structure, dandelions help rainwater penetrate deeper rather than running off the surface.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
This will allow rain to soak down into the aquifers, instead of running off into storm drains and into the ocean.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
One of the horses tripped over a curb and fell over, toppling over its rider before running off.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running off
Verb
-
The car overturned and rolled several times, ejecting Reed, the CHP reported.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
-
The air crew is seen ejecting from the crafts and parachuting to the ground.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
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One theory is that a surprisingly large amount of crude is escaping the double blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, helping the global energy system absorb the historic shock.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Still others were escaping the horrors of the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia.—
Elizabeth Holtzman,
Time,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Arden, who wore a plaid jacket and laceless black sneakers, headed to the flying area.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
According to the researchers, bumblebee behavior is not limited to flying around and diving belly deep into pollen.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
As the media fixates on the digital natives known as Gen Z and Gen Alpha — often dismissing them as antisocial and entitled members of society — Saturday’s celebration showed that younger generations might actually have it all under control.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Democrats criticized Republicans for dismissing attempts at meaningful reform.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Investigators said Kamara then exchanged gunfire with the second officer on scene before fleeing farther down the trail.—
Maggie Trovato,
Baltimore Sun,
9 June 2026
-
The poetic horror drama follows a young mother fleeing a toxic relationship and reconnecting with her grandmother, who carries wounds of her own.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Josh Rojas tried to sacrifice him over to third, but his bunt went straight back to Orze, who threw to second base too late to catch the retreating Tolbert.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
-
Similarly, retreating glaciers that form the Greenland Ice Sheet carve new valleys and reshape the physical geography, which will likely bring new challenges for the land mammals.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2026
Verb
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And she’s taken a spot in the stands alongside their parents, who have spent years chasing their youngest children around the country to make sure at least one parent attends each pro or college game.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
8 June 2026
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Now homeowners are chasing that same effect with HVAC scent diffusers — devices that hook into a home’s heating and cooling system to push fragrance through every room at once.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Running off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20off. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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