View synonyms for

runaway

[ ruhn-uh-wey ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a person who runs away; fugitive; deserter.
a horse or team that has broken away from control.
the act of running away.
a decisive or easy victory.
a young person, especially a teenager, who has run away from home.

adjective

having run away; escaped; fugitive.
(of a horse or other animal) having escaped from the control of the rider or driver.
pertaining to or accomplished by running away or eloping:
a runaway marriage.
easily won, as a contest:
a runaway victory at the polls.
Synonyms: ,
unchecked; rampant:
runaway prices.
Informal. deserting or revolting against one's group, duties, expected conduct, or the like, especially to establish or join a rival group, change one's life drastically, etc.:
The runaway delegates nominated their own candidate.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of runaway¹

First recorded in 1505–15; noun, adj. use of verb phrase run away

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

On the campaign trail, Trump warned about the runaway power of the federal government.

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After a runaway success with fiction, she’s exploring her power to mold reality to her advantage, too.

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The batteries become a risk when they enter thermal runaway, a state that can be triggered by overcharging, manufacturing errors or physical damage that can lead to fire.

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But ministers won't want to see a return of runaway inflation - the annual rise of prices - because that would inevitably lead to a rise in interest rates, and higher borrowing costs for businesses and individuals.

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Two days after the Bruins shut down Utah State’s leading scorer in a runaway victory, they did not enjoy the same fate against Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier.

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Related Words

run a tight ship run away

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