MARATHON Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

marathon 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of marathon

as in long

lasting for a considerable time a marathon study session the night before the exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

marathon

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of marathon

Adjective

Ultimately, Fenwick won 4-3 on walk-off single by Kyleena Nowinski in the 12th inning, ending a marathon game that had a little of everything. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026 Traditionally known as an ultra-marathon trail running shoe, the Hoka Mafate 5 model is designed to withstand impact and grip technical terrain like a pro. — Nicolette Accardi, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026

Noun

The marathon comes four days ahead of the 2026 Emmy Awards, which will air on NBC with Hargitay set to host. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 The Red Sox had cruised to a 13-1 win on Friday night, rolling to that victory one night after rallying five times against the White Sox in a 13-inning marathon. — Curt Anderson, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for marathon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for marathon

Adjective

Hungary and Romania were forced to temporarily shut down nuclear reactors cooled by the Danube, Europe’s second-longest river, which has experienced such low water levels that the crisis can be observed from space.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
The Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft built to provide persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of long

Noun

However, exactly where the ultramarathon will take them has yet to be determined.

— Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026
More than 20,000 runners took part in the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon earlier this month, a nearly 55-mile (89 kilometers) race between the South African cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

— Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 22 June 2026

Definition of ultramarathon

Adjective

Head coach Eckert being hit with three Football Association misconduct charges means the saga may yet cast a further shadow over the new campaign, especially as the German could be facing a lengthy ban.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
The moves come as 311 has received nearly 3,000 complaints related to dog waste citywide so far this year, including a significant spike after the lengthy, lingering snow pileups this winter.

— Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of lengthy

Noun

Hers is a spectacular rise — a list of remarkable achievements for someone who only started road cycling in the last few years, having previously competed nationally in duathlon (triathlon without the swimming).

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared tidbits over the years about their three children's — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8 — interest in sports, with Prince George trying everything from soccer to a triathlon.

— Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Definition of triathlon

Noun

Masters would go on to compete in rowing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, and cycling, winning medals across both Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.

— Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 10 Mar. 2026
The sport was introduced for athletes with physical disabilities at the 1988 Innsbruck Paralympic Games and for athletes with visual disabilities in 1992 at Albertville.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026

Definition of biathlon

Noun

Thorpe followed his pentathlon win with another commanding performance in the decathlon, earning his second medal of the 1912 Olympics and setting a world record.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 8 July 2026
In the opening day of the MIAA outdoor track and field Meet of Champions, Walpole’s Sawyer Regan won the boys pentathlon, while Westboro’s Al Regnier won the girls pentathlon.

— Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 5 June 2026

Definition of pentathlon

Noun

Ashton Eaton of the United States wins the decathlon world championship title to add to his Olympic gold medal.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Tom Holland’s Peter has a favorite bodega, chases bad guys through backyards, and struggles to mix superhero-ing with the academic decathlon.

— Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of decathlon

Browse Nearby Words

mar

marathon

marathons

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to marathon

Cite this Entry

Style

“Marathon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marathon. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of marathon

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

On Your Mark: 7 Phrases From the Racing...

Top 10 Words Born in Conflict

10 Words from Place Names

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on marathon

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

lackadaisical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes