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.

Her goal: to run around a 10-minute-mile pace, complete the ski in under six minutes, haul the weights in under two minutes—and have a good time doing all of it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 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

"Travelling abroad plus the costs involved to run around a bit and get out of breath is a stretch for me," said one former participant on Reddit.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

“Chicho, I want to be an artist, but I also want to be a normal girl. I want to run around and play and go to the bathroom by myself.”

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar

run around

Example Sentences

Related Words