1
as in escapes
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
ran away from an unhappy marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retreats
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the child runs away from large dogs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runs away
The title refers to a story-fable about a horse that runs away, only to turn up at a time of crisis.
—
Hillel Italie, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Garcia runs away screaming toward a third officer and drops the stick before he’s pushed down into a bed of bushes growing along the street curb.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Best gets out of the vehicle, then runs away with police chasing after him.
—Dave Collins, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
In this delightfully science-minded historical fiction novel, one of the main characters runs away from her family to do astronomy while the other clocks up multiple major scientific expeditions under her belt.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
In this fluffy romance novel, burnt out pop star Amelia Rose runs away in the middle of the night to the Hallmark-worthy town of Rome.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The organ is dropped on the floor and a dog in the waiting room, who'd accidentally consumed marijuana, snaps it up and runs away with it.
—Ana Calderone, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Their away form is a conundrum for Howe, who, at different times, has presided over a Newcastle team that has gone on both long unbeaten and winless runs away from St James’ Park.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Following the shooting, the individual jumps from a rooftop and runs away from the location.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Hillel Italie, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Garcia runs away screaming toward a third officer and drops the stick before he’s pushed down into a bed of bushes growing along the street curb.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Best gets out of the vehicle, then runs away with police chasing after him.
—Dave Collins, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
In this delightfully science-minded historical fiction novel, one of the main characters runs away from her family to do astronomy while the other clocks up multiple major scientific expeditions under her belt.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
In this fluffy romance novel, burnt out pop star Amelia Rose runs away in the middle of the night to the Hallmark-worthy town of Rome.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The organ is dropped on the floor and a dog in the waiting room, who'd accidentally consumed marijuana, snaps it up and runs away with it.
—Ana Calderone, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Their away form is a conundrum for Howe, who, at different times, has presided over a Newcastle team that has gone on both long unbeaten and winless runs away from St James’ Park.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Following the shooting, the individual jumps from a rooftop and runs away from the location.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runs away
Verb
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Hellebuyck being Hellebuyck and a middle six that escapes its 2025-26 black hole and starts winning its minutes again.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
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Aaron escapes his torturers, first by rooting himself in the town’s only movie theater open to Black people, and then by lying about his age and enlisting in the Navy at 16.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Her 50-something protagonist, Alan Anderson, and his socially striving wife Vivian, are at least about to start thinking about where their family is going to go, once Alan retreats to a backyard playhouse.—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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So, when legal education retreats from explicit commitments to access and representation, the consequences aren't limited to law schools.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Rue then flees the home as Wayne chases her with a shotgun.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
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Charlie flees the scene and Pip makes every effort to save Stanley, putting pressure on his wounds and trying to keep him conscious, dragging his body away from the flames after Charlie sets the place on fire.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
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An Israeli flag flies over the medieval Beaufort Castle, known locally as Qalaat al-Shaqif or Shaqif Arnoun.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
-
The Air Force's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance squadron flies 10 Super Hercules aircraft out of Biloxi, Mississippi.—
Scott Withers,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The Jayhawks plated two runs off one hit and an Arkansas error in the fifth to grab an 8-5 lead.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
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By the time Lee homered, the Pirates already had scored nine runs off Zebby Matthews and Mike Paredes, who was making his major league debut.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The 48-team tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, will include three-minute hydration breaks for players in each half of every game.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
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The 2026 French Open runs from May 17 through June 7 at the Stade Roland-Garros complex in Paris, with semifinals and finals scheduled to be played at the iconic Philippe-Chatrier court.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
4 June 2026
Verb
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When spinach bolts, the plant focuses its energy on producing flowers and seeds rather than leaves.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
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If Leonard bolts, the Clippers will look to rebuild around young point guard Darius Garland, who came to the team in the Harden trade.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Runs away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runs%20away. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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