RUNNING AWAY Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

running away 1 of 2

noun

as in leaving

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Dissimilar Words

running away

2 of 2

verb

present participle of run away

as in escaping

to get free from a dangerous or confining situation ran away from an unhappy marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in retreating

to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening the child runs away from large dogs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of running away

Verb

The video shows a black SUV speeding over a median and driving toward a man who is running away. — Lekan Oyekanmi, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Walker arrives at the scene and notices a man running away with a gun in hand. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 Police say the teller called 911 as Labadie was running away. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 After running away, the suspect fired at two additional officers, Bethel said. — James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 One of the most notable moments — and the scene apparently being filmed — was a sequence of shots showing the three bandmembers running away from swarps of adoring fans. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026 After two shots, the bear reportedly rose and began running away. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026 Security camera footage shows the shocking moment flood water crashes through the Nepal-China border area, with people seen running away as the water appears to wipe out everything in its path. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 After nine consecutive losses against the Minnesota Lynx, the Valkyries finally broke through on Monday night in Minneapolis, setting the tone early and running away with the game late in the fourth quarter en route to a 80-66 win. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for running away

Noun

By Tuesday night, more than 800 people had signed it, according to the petition, with 26 leaving comments.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
Officers responded to a call about shots fired a few blocks away from Beale Street and saw a person armed with a gun leaving, said Memphis police.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of leaving

Verb

The pope paused for a moment and waved to the crowd before retreating into his apartment in the Apostolic Palace.

— Colleen Barry, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
In a world riven by democratic backsliding and polluted with AI slop, there’s something seductive about the idea of retreating to a wild, unnavigable place where no one can follow you—because you’ll be submerged up to your eyeballs.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreating

Noun

Following the simultaneous departures of former chiefs Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) at the end of last season, long-time fans might have expected another familiar face to take the helm.

— Max Gao, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Her high-profile appointment followed a multiyear hiatus for Calvin Klein Collection on the runway following the departure of Raf Simons in 2018.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of departure

Verb

Raney Aronson-Rath A chronicle of one Syrian daughter’s journey in fleeing war and seeking refuge in Germany, and how over ten years, new pressures and opportunities present themselves.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Police say the father of one of the children confronted the adult victim and shot her before fleeing the scene.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fleeing

Verb

Almost all of the birds on Palmyra Atoll rely on the ocean, flying out to sea daily to feed on fish or squid, bringing some back for their young.

— Lauren Sommer, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
Six Flags Great Adventure via Facebook While riding Nitro, riders can see the Philadelphia skyline for a glimpse before flying down a 215-foot drop.

— Nikki DeMentri, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

Bootcap goes on the toe of ski boots to create an insulation barrier and prevents cold from getting in and heat from getting out.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
The official teaser for the fourth and final season of Yellowjackets teases the survivors home at last, and haunted by the price of getting out alive.

— Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of getting out

Browse Nearby Words

running amok

running away

running by

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Style

“Running away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20away. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of running away

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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