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Definitions

run around

VERB
elude
Synonyms
STRONGEST
baffle confound dodge evade flee foil frustrate outrun outwit puzzle shun stall stonewall thwart
STRONG
bilk circumvent ditch double duck eschew fly shirk shuck shy stump
WEAK
be beyond someone beat around the bush cop out get around get away from give the runaround give the slip give wide berth to hem and haw not touch pass the buck pass up stay shy of steer clear of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abet aid assist clarify clear up encourage enlighten explain face help meet support
WEAK
attract confront encounter entice invite take on
VERB
equivocate
Synonyms
STRONG
cavil dodge elude escape eschew evade falsify fence fib flip-flop fudge hedge jive lie palter parry prevaricate pussyfoot quibble shuck shuffle sidestep stonewall tergiversate waffle
WEAK
beat around the bush beg the question blow hot and cold cloud the issue cop a plea cop out cover up double-talk give the runaround hem and haw mince words pass the buck sit on the fence tell white lie tergiverse weasel
Antonyms
STRONG
be honest confront encounter face meet release take on tell the truth
WEAK
speak on
VERB
gad
Synonyms
STRONG
cruise gallivant jaunt maunder mooch ramble range rove stray traipse wander
WEAK
hit the road hit the trail knock about knock around
Antonyms
STRONG
be direct go direct stay
VERB
hedge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fudge sidestep waffle
STRONG
duck equivocate evade flip-flop jive prevaricate pussyfoot quibble shuck shuffle stall stonewall temporize tergiversate
WEAK
be noncommittal beat around the bush blow hot and cold cop a plea cop out give the runaround hem and haw pass the buck shilly-shally sit on the fence tergiverse
Antonyms
STRONG
face meet
WEAK
confront release
VERB
play the field
Synonyms
WEAK
flirt gallivant philander play around sow one's oats
VERB
revel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bask rejoice
STRONG
carouse crow delight enjoy frolic gloat indulge lark luxuriate relish riot roister roll rollick savor thrive wallow
WEAK
blow off steam carry on cut loose fool around go on a spree kick up heels kid around lap up let go let loose live it up make merry paint the town step out whoop it up
Antonyms
STRONG
be sad disappoint dislike distress hate
VERB
roister
Synonyms
STRONG
bask carouse crow delight enjoy frolic gloat indulge lark luxuriate rejoice relish riot roll rollick savor thrive wallow
WEAK
blow off steam carry on cut loose fool around go on a spree kick over the traces kick up heels kick up one's heels kid around lap up let go let loose live it up make merry make whoopee paint the town paint the town red step out whoop it up
Antonyms
STRONG
be sad disappoint dislike distress hate
run-around
NOUN
avoidance
Synonyms
WEAK
come-off delay detour difficulty diversion elusion escape escaping eschewal evasion inertia postponement roundabout shunning
Antonyms
WEAK
challenge facing meeting

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.

“I’d run around Central Park in my hometown. It was an escape.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

The Italian edged out Norwegian Erlend Blikra and compatriot Matteo Malucelli in the charge to the line at the end of a flat 166km run around Dubai.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

Concentration camp systems are always an end run around the existing legal system in a country at a given time.

From Slate • Feb. 17, 2026

Isak's lack of impact prompted justifiable claims that even the much-maligned and now departed Darwin Nunez would have at least run around a bit in a bid to make things happen.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

“Yeah, it’s important. Later on in life I’m sure you’re going to run around talking Latin all over the place.”

From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel