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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runs away
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
When, as in this instance, 2,500 people vote on 50 names and one runs away with it, something else is at play.
—Anthony Shore, Fortune, 26 Oct. 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
Some of those, err, parts are on display in the finished film, including in one scene where Tatum gets caught bathing in the toy store by a manager (Peter Dinklage) and then runs away fully nude.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Andor runs away to the synagogue his family had attended before the war, but finds no fulfillment there, either.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
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
When, as in this instance, 2,500 people vote on 50 names and one runs away with it, something else is at play.
—Anthony Shore, Fortune, 26 Oct. 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
Some of those, err, parts are on display in the finished film, including in one scene where Tatum gets caught bathing in the toy store by a manager (Peter Dinklage) and then runs away fully nude.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Andor runs away to the synagogue his family had attended before the war, but finds no fulfillment there, either.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runs away
Verb
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Whether retiring adults are eyeing sunny Florida, quaint Midwest towns, or charming East Coast escapes, there are plenty of destinations across the United States that offer a mix of affordable living and top-notch quality of life.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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Fly Little Bird follows the story of an American singer struggling with addiction who escapes her family’s West Bank settlement, eventually finding refuge in a Palestinian news agency, implicating those who shelter her.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Becca flees her home to escape her evil stepmother but receives support and friendship from several individuals before Evie mysteriously disappears in 1934.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
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The president flees these tradeoffs as a matter of course and flip-flops unpredictably when pressures rise.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The drone then flies autonomously to its destination.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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This policy flies in the face of the Constitution, legal precedent and Homeland Security's own guidelines.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Stewart also cracked 21 runs off leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the 18th over but Curran and Overton led England home.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
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As mentioned, the Chillhouse runs off-grid.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Next, with the lights off, Dana runs a black light over Ilana’s body.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The Downtown Dot, a free shuttle service operated by the local transit authority, runs seven days a week and stops near hotels, restaurants and attractions in the city’s core.—
Adam Kuehl,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With that in mind, here are a few free agent options who could fit the Yankees if Bellinger bolts.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
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The canine then bolts across the field and is immediately chased by one horse, with about five more joining in moments later.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Runs away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runs%20away. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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