Definitions

on the lam

ADJECTIVE

fugitive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

elusive

STRONG

brief ephemeral flying passing short temporary volatile wandering

WEAK

avoiding errant erratic escaping evading evanescent fleeting flitting fugacious impermanent momentary moving short-lived transitory unstable

Antonyms

STRONG

enduring lasting lengthy long permanent

WEAK

confronting facing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before long, Frank and the Bride are on the road and on the lam, invigorating the nation in their path.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Monkeys on the lam in St. Louis and AI isn’t helping.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026

As a child, Caleb resisted being taken into Federation custody, instead going on the lam.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

The suspected leaker is believed to be a Chinese national who has moved back to China and is now on the lam, South Korean officials say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

They didn’t take it on the lam weirdly inside a cloud the way Clevinger had done.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller