runaway

USAGE SUMMARY

"runaway" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that moves quickly away from a particular place or person. For example: "The puppy ran away from its owner as soon as it was let off the leash".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Economics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nine months later, though, the hopes of the club destined to become the greatest England had ever seen were destroyed in the slush on the runaway of Munich's old airport.

The Guardian - Sport

Rebel MPs, like runaway horses, lose their fear of whips.

The Guardian - Opinion

David Walker, the SJA chairman, said: "While Andy Murray was our runaway winner of the men's award, the women's and team awards were highly competitive".

The Guardian

But it is also about making Britain's underlying economic model fairer so, for example, there are a series of measures aimed at taming runaway corporate pay, including forcing firms to offer their staff a seat on the remuneration committee.

The Guardian

Even non-believers have been moved by the radicalism of his message, decrying runaway materialism, "unbridled capitalism" and a cult of money that he condemns as latter-day idol worship.

The Guardian

Teacher workloads have received government attention of late with deputy prime minister Nick Clegg vowing to rein in the "runaway train of bureaucracy" that harasses the profession.

The Guardian

The only democratising brake on this runaway train is for individuals to be able, in their own small way, to do the same as do other entities," he concluded.

The Guardian - Tech

The trail follows old runaway slave paths high into the rainforested interior and takes in beaches and dramatic gorges.

The Guardian - Travel

Listing the piorities for a deal to be workable, he said it would have to be based on a primary surplus of less than 2% and a revision of Athens's runaway debt – at 180% of GDP, the highest in Europe – in addition to reforms and the investment programme Brussels was willing to extend to Greece.

The Guardian

And the age of austerity decreed by Europe's leaders as the answer to runaway debt, soaring deficits and a failing euro also supplies fertile ground for the populist campaigners.

The Guardian

On Thursday, news broke that "Mama June" Shannon, the unexpected matriarch of TLC's runaway reality hit Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, was in a relationship with a new man.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations like "runaway inflation" or "runaway costs", ensure the context clearly indicates what is escalating and the negative consequences of this uncontrolled increase.

Common error

Avoid using "runaway" loosely; it implies a situation spiraling out of control, not merely something moving quickly or successfully. Ensure your sentence reflects this sense of negative escalation.

Linguistic Context

The word "runaway" primarily functions as an adjective or a noun. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes something or someone escaping control or limitations. It is used to modify nouns, indicating a state of being unchecked or out of control.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Economics

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "runaway" is frequently used to describe situations that are escalating beyond control or individuals who have escaped. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct term commonly used across various contexts, notably in news, sports, and economics. The term conveys a sense of urgency or concern, highlighting the rapid and often negative progression of the situation. It is found most often in news sources, with economics and sports following behind. Be cautious of the negative connotation. A semantic substitute for "runaway" is "out of control".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of control

This alternative directly conveys the sense of being unmanaged or unchecked, similar to a process that's "runaway".

unchecked

This alternative emphasizes the lack of monitoring or restraint, akin to something described as "runaway".

rampant

This word suggests widespread and unchecked growth, much like a "runaway" trend or problem.

uncontrolled

This alternative highlights the absence of control, mirroring the situation of a "runaway" process.

fugitive

Specifically refers to someone who has escaped, similar to a "runaway" person.

loose

This implies something is free from restraint, akin to a "runaway" object or animal.

escaped

Directly refers to having broken free from confinement, resembling a "runaway" individual.

overwhelming

This describes a situation of an event that has a major impact or effect, like a runaway victory.

unrestrained

This emphasizes a lack of boundaries or limits, close to the meaning of "runaway".

unchecked expansion

This focuses on growth without limits, similar to a "runaway" expansion or inflation.

FAQs

How can "runaway" be used in a sentence?

"Runaway" can describe something that is out of control, such as "runaway inflation", or someone who has escaped, like a "runaway slave".

What's a synonym for "runaway" when describing something out of control?

Alternatives include "unchecked", "uncontrolled", or "rampant", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "runaway" to describe a very successful event?

Yes, "runaway" can describe something that is overwhelmingly successful, as in "runaway success", implying a victory or achievement that is unexpectedly or remarkably complete.

What is the difference between using "runaway" and "out of control"?

"Runaway" often implies a rapid or unexpected escalation, while "out of control" simply means not being managed or directed. "Runaway" carries a stronger sense of something escalating beyond the ability to manage it.