Find Antonyms
runoff Antonyms
Opposite of runoff
Because the opposite of runoff shifts with each meaning, the antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 2 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
• noun (Context 1)
The draining away of water (or substances carried in it) from the surface of an area of land, a building, or a structure.
Usage Example
"Heavy agricultural absorption containing excess fertilizers polluted the nearby river."
Strong
absorption
infiltration
retention
• noun (Context 2)
A further competition, election, race, or other contest held after a tie or inconclusive result in order to determine a clear winner.
Usage Example
"Because no candidate secured an outright majority in the first round, the two top contenders advanced to a December primary."
Strong
primary
preliminary
Similar words to runoff
Words similar to runoff shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:
tiebreaker
drainage
playoff
outflow
overflow
decider
discharge
effluent
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Runoff. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/runoff