in the running

phrase

1

: competing in a contest

2

: having a chance to win a contest

Examples of in the running in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scheduled for release in Mexican cinemas on September 24, Hombre al Agua is among 17 titles in the running to represent Mexico at the 99th Academy Awards, alongside films including Diego Luna’s Ashes and Fernando Eimbcke’s Flies. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

Woods is a physical specimen and a willing blocker in the running game. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026

San Francisco doesn't have a glaring need at linebacker where Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are projected as two of the starters and several other players are in the running for a backup spot. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Chaminade found its rhythm in the running game despite being without top offensive lineman Jackson Hill (a Notre Dame commit). — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for in the running

• overrunning
• bunning
• cunning
• dunning
• gunning
• punning
• shunning
• stunning
• sunning