runaway
noun
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Definition of runaway
(Entry 1 of 3)
runaway
adjectiveDefinition of runaway (Entry 2 of 3)
run away
verbDefinition of run away (Entry 3 of 3)
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Synonyms & Antonyms for runaway
Synonyms: Adjective
abandoned, intemperate, rampant, raw, unbounded, unbridled, unchecked, uncontrolled, unhampered, unhindered, unrestrained
Synonyms: Verb
abscond, break out (of), clear out, escape, flee, fly, get out, lam, run off
Antonyms: Adjective
bridled, checked, constrained, controlled, curbed, governed, hampered, hindered, restrained, temperate
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Examples of runaway in a Sentence
Adjective
The play was a runaway success. a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawlVerb
ran away from an unhappy marriage the child runs away from large dogs
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
In the months since, a growing number of Saudi runaways have also used social media to raise awareness about the treatment of Saudi women and publicize their own pleas for asylum. — Time Staff, Time, "The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet," 16 July 2019 According to the release, Wrench is a habitual runaway and has runaway over ten times in the last two years. — Rebecca Hennes, Houston Chronicle, "Police: Missouri City teen reported missing may be victim of human trafficking," 2 July 2019 The 1996 movie Freeway recasts the wolf as a serial killer and Little Red Riding Hood as a teenage runaway. — Ferris Jabr, Harper's magazine, "The Story of Storytelling," 10 Mar. 2019 Both teens were wanted for probation violations and under warrants as runaways for escaping from custody. — Breanna Edwards, Essence, "Viral Video Shows Michigan Police Officer Punching Handcuffed Teen Girl," 18 June 2019 The federal government was prevented from introducing a head tax on slaves, and free states were forbidden from harboring runaways from slave states. — Nicholas Guyatt, The New York Review of Books, "How Proslavery Was the Constitution?," 6 June 2019 Some female Saudi runaways fleeing abuse by their families have been caught trying to seek asylum abroad in recent years. — Trevor Marshallsea, The Seattle Times, "Thai, Saudi officials meet over case of young Saudi woman," 8 Jan. 2019 In response, county child welfare leaders sent a letter to state officials in September saying Mary Graham was providing more mental health services and had taken steps to reduce the number of runaways from the shelter, among other changes. — Joaquin Palomino, San Francisco Chronicle, "Girl’s undue jailing exemplifies plight of foster youth in custody," 17 Feb. 2018 If the runaways of New York Fashion Week are any indication, then sparkly makeup isn't going anywhere. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Models in Jeremy Scott's New York Fashion Week Show Wore Foil Lipstick," 7 Sep. 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
The days of Golden State being the runaway championship favorite are almost certainly long gone. — Rohan Nadkarni, SI.com, "Draymond Green’s Sacrifice Will Keep the Warriors’ Title Window Open," 3 Aug. 2019 The Tigers, the runaway favorite to win the Atlantic Division, garnered 171 first-place votes and 1,209 points in the division preseason ballot while Syracuse finished second with 913 points. — Dan Shulman, BostonGlobe.com, "BC predicted to finish fifth in ACC’s Atlantic Division," 22 July 2019 Pennywise is the beacon of nightmares in the upcoming sequel to the runaway success that was 2017’s IT, based on Stephen King’s popular 1986 horror novel. — Alexia Fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "IT Chapter Two Is Getting Terrifying 'Clowns Only' Screenings Across the Country," 2 Aug. 2019 That runaway success has given some analysts pause. — Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, "Beyond Meat spooks investors with discounted stock," 1 Aug. 2019 View Sample Sign Up Now The runaway success of Nanette looms large over Douglas. — Trish Bendix, Time, "Hannah Gadsby’s New Show Douglas Takes a Hammer to the Patriarchy—Again," 25 July 2019 Over here in the United States, bossa nova became a full-blown phenomenon with the runaway success of Gilberto’s 1962 album with jazz saxophonist Stan Getz. — Chris Richards, Washington Post, "João Gilberto sang lullabies to the future," 7 July 2019 Biolite Headlamp 200 Price: $40 Biolite takes a lot of the design features that made its 330-lumen headlamp a runaway success, and offers it in a more affordable package with fewer lumens, but no rear battery. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "All the Coolest New Gear From Outdoor Retailer 2019," 21 June 2019 Johnson is the runaway favorite to win the contest when the result is announced Tuesday. — Washington Post, "Lawmakers impede next UK leader’s path to a no-deal Brexit," 18 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'runaway.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.