as in fleeing
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
when a fight broke out, we hightailed it out of the bar
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hightailing (it)
Verb
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His parents had returned to Poland after fleeing east to the Soviet Union during the Nazi invasion.—
Stephen Silver,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026 -
Uganda has a reputation for welcoming foreigners, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing violent conflict in neighboring countries such as Congo, Burundi and South Sudan.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your husband has a long history of crossing the line and then retreating back just far enough that there’s an illusion of change.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Chrysler, facing financial pressure, rushed to graft increasingly conventional grilles onto the rounded nose, retreating year by year from the very aerodynamic principles that made the car more efficient.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The drone can be seen intercepting a low-flying Ka-52, maneuvering towards its port weapon pylon before the footage dramatically cuts.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
According to Delta's policies, there are no restrictions for flying while pregnant on the airline.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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None bigger than the bombshell on April 28 that this OPEC stalwart for nearly 60 years is bolting.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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To avoid bolting, plant spinach four to six weeks before the last frost in your region, or plant in late summer for a fall harvest.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the original version, Sue just starts running away screaming because the head explodes.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
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Liza Demming, a neighbor who lives two houses down from the residence where most victims were shot, told The Associated Press that her security camera captured video of the gunman running away and the sounds of two shots.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rivas was 13 when she was last seen by her family earlier that month, prior to running off for the second time.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
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That allows water to soak in more effectively instead of running off — a real benefit in suburban yards where soil compaction is common.—
Ryan Brennan
May 1,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Everyone came running this way.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
In the Fourth and Fifth Districts, Jen Wilson and incumbent Lake County Council President Christine Cid are running unopposed, while Steven Minchuk and former Merrillville Councilman Richard Hardaway compete for the District 6 seat currently held by Bilski.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Her baby's father answered the door with his eyes bugging out, and Frierson barged in to find two other guys, needles, spoons and powder on the table.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hightailing (it).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hightailing%20%28it%29. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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