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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Jori Heard escapes an at-bat against Reese Atwood but can't get away from Katie Stewart.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
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With unspoiled beaches, gentle Gulf waters, and sunset skies, Sanibel channels one of Florida’s most restorative weekend escapes.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the novel ultimately retreats from these complicating questions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
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But the novel ultimately retreats from these complicating questions.—
Sarah Chihaya,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Seemingly a united front, Michaela agrees to stay in London upon Francesca’s request, but secretly flees in the finale.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
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Ultimately, Taylor is part of the first 33 minutes or so of the movie, until Perfidia flees to Mexico and away from Lockjaw, who Taylor insists never had the power in that dynamic.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Eco effort Few & Far Luvhondo operates on solar power and is 100% zero waste, in part thanks to an army of black soldier flies that turn food scraps into fertilizer.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
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But researchers found in 2022 that brine flies, which form the base of the lake’s food web, and brine shrimp, a multimillion, global fish food business in Utah, had begun to disappear.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Water runs off quickly, carrying seeds and topsoil with it.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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Maybe the Sox can honor Ryan by reminding him of the night Ozzie Guillen and Craig Grebeck hit back-to-back home runs off him in 1990, their only home runs that season.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When a song lands that’s outside the affordable range, the team works around other placements in the episode to make the math work — a negotiation that runs all the way through the final mix.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
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First Amendment considerations Opponents of Murphy’s amendment expressed concern that the proposal runs afoul of constitutional protections for free expression.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 2026.
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