1
as in to out
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 to escape
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 to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the mouse ran off as soon as it saw us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fresh
Related 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 run off
ABC News, 8 May 2026
The person was confronted by a member of Middlesbrough’s personnel and ran off.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Teresa Liu, Daily News, 8 May 2026
The report said nutrient pollution from stormwater runoff and wastewater continues to fuel algae growth that can block sunlight and deplete oxygen.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for run off
Verb
Hubbard shot 67 by overcoming some early mistakes to run off four straight birdies around the turn.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
The person was confronted by a member of Middlesbrough’s personnel and ran off.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Noun
The exchanges highlighted the political dynamics emerging ahead of the June 2 primary, where only two top finishers will advance to a November runoff.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 8 May 2026
The report said nutrient pollution from stormwater runoff and wastewater continues to fuel algae growth that can block sunlight and deplete oxygen.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for run off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for run off
Verb
-
Zach Pop, who strained his calf, pitched a scoreless inning in a rehab outing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
The three-time All-Star, who underwent a cleanup procedure on his left elbow over the offseason, is expected to make his next start with the Yankees after completing his third rehab outing on Wednesday.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
On March 15th, while Hitler spoke from a palace balcony to hundreds of thousands of ecstatic Austrians, Heidi’s father planned escapes for his family.—
Nicholas Dawidoff,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
-
After a few years, Turner could probably escape his standstill by quitting the board, and press to axe Levin and ascend to CEO.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The Wolves will retreat to their corner, bandage some wounds and aim to actually come out swinging Friday after cowering in the corner for the bulk of Game 2.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
-
As Elliot retreats from the devastating reality of his illness, father and daughter are forced to confront the unspoken truths between them.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
College seniors Laila Edwards, Lacey Eden and Kirsten Simms are coming into the draft fresh off Wisconsin’s Frozen Four championship this spring.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Keep your laundry fresh and your machine running smoothly by avoiding this common detergent mistake.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pautler recommends ejecting pods after each use, as well as occasionally rinsing removable parts of the machines.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was ejected from Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals series against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center after striking Houston All-Star center Alperen Şengün in the head with his left forearm.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Velasco said families have fled to nearby towns, where many now take refuge in a soccer field.—
Megan Janetsky,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
-
The suspect also shot a woman, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, before fleeing the scene, according to police.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The passenger's 69-year-old wife leaves and flies to South Africa.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Passengers were already paying more to fly – even before the industry lost the budget airline famous for pushing fares lower.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Two and a half feet of rain beat down upon the face of the San Gabriels, wiping out the rustic resorts wedged into the canyons, and chuting runoff waters down onto the plain along ancient dry rivulets and freshets and canyons that Angelenos had forgotten or never known about.—
Patt MorrisonColumnist,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2023
-
The Hudson River had a little current, fed by freshets from upstream with local rains, and melting snow farther up, in the Adirondacks.—
Ian Frazier,
The New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Run off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run%20off. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
