run·away
ˈrə-nə-ˌwā 
1
: one that runs away from danger, duty, or restraint : fugitive
2
: the act of running away out of control
also
: something (such as a horse) that is running out of control
3
: a one-sided or overwhelming victory
1
a
: running away : fugitive
b
: leaving to gain special advantages (such as lower wages) or avoid disadvantages (such as governmental or union restrictions)
runaway shipping firms
a runaway shop
2
: accomplished by elopement or during flight
3
: won by or having a long lead
a runaway success
also
: extremely successful
a runaway bestseller
4
: subject to uncontrolled changes
runaway inflation
5
: being or operating out of control
a runaway oil well
a runaway nuclear reactor
ran away; run away; running away; runs away
1
a
: to leave quickly in order to avoid or escape something
b
: to leave home
especially
: elope
3
: to gain a substantial lead : win by a large margin
see also run away with
Synonyms
Examples of runaway in a Sentence
Adjective
The play was a runaway success.
a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl
Verb
ran away from an unhappy marriage
the child runs away from large dogs
Recent Examples on the Web
Reece Rogers, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2024
The cult classic is currently streaming on Netflix. 07 of 15
'Twilight'
Reese Witherspoon played another teen runaway in Twilight.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2024
The Chiefs are also the runaway ticket and money leader to win their fourth Lombardi Trophy in six years.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
Jordana Comiter, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024
But Kemp ran away with his reelection bid and remains in power, something Trump complained about in public as recently as last month.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for runaway 
Noun
With thermal runaway, a chemical reaction located in one of the cells lights an initial fire, and the heat soon spreads to each adjacent cell until the entire EV battery is burning.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2024
The cult classic is currently streaming on Netflix. 07 of 15
'Twilight'
Reese Witherspoon played another teen runaway in Twilight.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
Adjective
Oh, Mary!, Cole Escola’s runaway smash at the Lyceum ($1,105,635, the show’s fifth house record); ; and The Outsiders, the spring’s hit musical at the Jacobs ($1,307,392).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2024
The Chiefs are also the runaway ticket and money leader to win their fourth Lombardi Trophy in six years.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
Verb
This creates a major internal conflict for Celeste, who develops a nervous stutter except around Shooter and plans to run away with him on the morning of her wedding.
—Jordana Comiter, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024
But Kemp ran away with his reelection bid and remains in power, something Trump complained about in public as recently as last month.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for runaway
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'runaway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near runaway
Cite this Entry
“Runaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runaway. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
runaway
1 of 3 noun
run·away
ˈrən-ə-ˌwā
1
: a person who runs away : fugitive
2
: the act of running away out of control
also
: something (as a horse) that is running out of control
runaway
2 of 3 adjective1
: running away : fugitive
2
: being out of control
run away
3 of 3 verbˌrən-ə-ˈwā
1
: to leave in a hurry especially to escape from danger or confinement
2
: to leave home
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