Synonyms of run off

run off 1 of 2

verb

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

• out
• eject
• chase
• cast out
• dismiss
• banish
• kick out
• turn out
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• expel
• turf (out)
• sack
• evict
• remove
• send packing
• shut out
• extrude
• read out
• rout
• oust
• give one the gate
• bounce
• fire
• exile
• deforce
• ostracize
• muster out
• expatriate
• dispossess
• can
• deport
• ax
• displace
• retire
• pink-slip
• terminate
• cashier
• release
• discharge
• defenestrate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• receive
• accept
• take
• take in
• admit
• welcome
• shelter
• house
• entertain
• lodge
• harbor

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

• escape
• flee
• run away
• fly
• get out
• break free
• clear out
• leave
• break out (of)
• abscond
• avoid
• move
• walk out
• pull out
• go
• evade
• lam
• lose
• exit
• sally (forth)
• take off
• shove (off)
• shun
• depart
• elude
• quit
• rescue
• bring off
• elope
• liberate
• extricate
• disentangle
• release
• spring
• loose
• free
• loosen
• decamp
• emancipate
• redeem
• enfranchise
• unbind
• manumit
• unfetter
• uncage
• unchain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remain
• stay
• dwell
• linger
• hang around
• abide
• stick around
• come back
• return
• tarry

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

• retreat
• flee
• fly
• bolt
• run
• run away
• escape
• beat a retreat
• turn tail
• bug out
• beat it
• break
• hightail (it)
• make tracks
• get (away)
• get out
• skip (out)
• skedaddle
• clear out
• light out
• make off
• skirr
• abscond
• scram
• decamp
• lam
• elope
• scat
• scarper
• mizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confront
• face
• dare
• beard
• defy
• remain
• stay
• brave
• dwell
• linger
• hang around
• abide
• stick around
• tarry

runoff

2 of 2

noun

as in fresh

Related Words

• fresh
• freshet
• creek
• arroyo
• brook
• rill
• rivulet
• stream
• wash
• watercourse
• bayou
• waterway
• race
• slough
• canal
• billabong
• streamlet
• burn
• runnel
• gill
• coulee
• brooklet
• cutoff
• tributary
• beck
• influent
• run
• bourn
• runlet
• millrace
• kill
• distributary
• channel
• millstream
• confluent
• affluent
• cut
• branch
• gut

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of run off

Verb

Campbell then ran off in an alley just south of the Damen station. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

When someone intervened, the unidentified suspect ran off, the university said. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

That framework includes rain barrels but often takes the form of swales, slope-sided channels that soak up rainwater and manage runoff and erosion. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

That runoff is critical because Aurora doesn't rely on rainwater that falls directly within city limits for its supply. — Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026