1
as in to escape
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 to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the child runs away from large dogs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rampant
showing no signs of being under control
a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sweep
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runaway
Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
Instead, the battery must be cooled to stop the fire and end thermal runaway.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 10 June 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Then, Nicole Mitchell ran away and into Carol Mitchell’s basement.
—Ingrid Harbo, Twin Cities, 17 July 2025
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
Just months ago, Argentina seemed destined for another economic collapse: soaring poverty, runaway inflation and dire warnings from economists that President Javier Milei's radical austerity measures would choke growth.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for runaway
Verb
While the attempt was thwarted, abolitionists raised money to purchase freedom for some of the runaways, including Ellen.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
Instead, the battery must be cooled to stop the fire and end thermal runaway.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 10 June 2025
Adjective
He's run away from it and has refused to deal with it in the past 27 years, and the pressure in the prison [of his mind began to build up].
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Then, Nicole Mitchell ran away and into Carol Mitchell’s basement.
—Ingrid Harbo, Twin Cities, 17 July 2025
Noun
Trump has ramped up attacks on Mamdani since the Queens assemblyman scored a runaway victory over Cuomo in the Democratic primary last month.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
Just months ago, Argentina seemed destined for another economic collapse: soaring poverty, runaway inflation and dire warnings from economists that President Javier Milei's radical austerity measures would choke growth.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for runaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runaway
Verb
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Eventually, in a moment of crisis, Titch also escapes with him on it, kicking off what will become a wild continent-hopping odyssey.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
21 July 2025
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The project explores the tension between love and loneliness, questioning whether one escapes solitude by helping others find meaningful relationships.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Mortensen retreated back into her room and locked the door, immediately texting her housemates.—
Time,
Time,
23 July 2025
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Steel Dynamics — Shares retreated nearly 3% after the steelmaker’s second-quarter results trailed expectations, with $2.01 in earnings per share missing the Street’s $2.10 and revenue of $4.57 billion trailing the consensus for $4.76 billion.—
Christina Cheddar Berk,
CNBC,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Homelessness is still rampant — and the idea of homeownership feels like a cruel joke to the many millions of households in the Golden State with income far higher than the national median of $75,000.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
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With both systems under one leader, speculation is rampant that Broward’s two health districts will merge.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 July 2025
Noun
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Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio conducted sweeps outside stores in Phoenix during his immigration crackdowns.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
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Since then, full sweeps have remained elusive, but the domination has continued.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Villagers flee their homes near the Thai border in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province on July 25, 2025.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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Yang’s deportation to Laos – a country her parents were forced to flee following US military intervention – underscores the sweeping and aggressive tactics Trump’s White House is using to expel immigrants.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Verb
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The scene concludes with a lot of digital images flying up on the screen and some positively insane synthesizer music from composer Ennio Morricone.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
19 July 2025
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Where will flags be at half-staff in Wisconsin? Per Evers' executive order, American flag and the Wisconsin state flag fly half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations belonging to the state of Wisconsin.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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By Saturday morning, the blaze continues to expand uncontrolled.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
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The movie follows the adventures of rebellious young boy, Ne Zha, who is feared by the gods having been born to mortal parents with wild, uncontrolled powers.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Oh, Hi! and the Pete Davidson-starring thriller The Home don't stand in the way, next week is going to be a good old fashioned Marvel vs. DC blowout at the box office.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
20 July 2025
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Some went all out with an overseas blowout, while others kept things low-key, surrounded by just immediate family at a favorite local place.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Runaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runaway. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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