variants
also chiefly dialectal run
1
as in trotted
to go at a pace faster than a walk
we ran all the way to the bus stop, but still missed the bus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retreated
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
rather than run from a black bear, it's better to hold your ground and make lots of noise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
5
as in flowed
to move in a stream
water running down the window
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in raced
to proceed or move quickly
run and get the nurse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
9
as in operated
to control the mechanical operation of
I know how to run that machine
Synonyms & Similar Words
10
as in became
to eventually have as a state or quality
the poor woman ran herself ragged trying to care for all those children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in melted
to go from a solid to a liquid state
her makeup started to run when she got in the pool
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in managed
to look after and make decisions about
learning to run the family business
Synonyms & Similar Words
13
as in triggered
to cause to function
in olden days mills were run by flowing water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in cost
to have a price of
that sort of computer runs at least several hundred dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
15
as in traveled
to come or be together as friends
he's been running with a bad crowd lately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
16
as in chased
to go after or on the track of
if that dog continues to run cars, he's going to get seriously hurt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ran
Hours after her murder, Wilson encountered Ruiz and persuaded her to get into his vehicle under false pretenses, and then killed her before running her over multiple times and abandoning her body in a nearby field, per Gulf Coast News Now.
—
Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Wind chill temperatures may drop to below zero from time to time in many communities running from Friday through Sunday morning.
—Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Under Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934, broadcasters are legally required to offer equal time to candidates from different parties running for the same office.
—Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 22 Jan. 2026
His father owned a construction firm, while his mother ran an agricultural company before turning to real estate.
—Giacomo Tognini, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
But after the court formally dismissed Yoon as president in early April, Han resigned to run for the presidency in last June’s snap election.
—CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
But after the court formally dismissed Yoon as president in early April, Han resigned to run for the presidency in last June's snap election.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
There are six monochrome colors to choose from, and the good news for shoppers who find that their pants tend to run too short or too long is that each colorway has the option to choose between a 31- or 29-inch inseam.
—Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025
Mangione's case will run parallel to federal charges, which carry the possibility of the death penalty.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Wind chill temperatures may drop to below zero from time to time in many communities running from Friday through Sunday morning.
—Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Under Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934, broadcasters are legally required to offer equal time to candidates from different parties running for the same office.
—Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 22 Jan. 2026
His father owned a construction firm, while his mother ran an agricultural company before turning to real estate.
—Giacomo Tognini, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
But after the court formally dismissed Yoon as president in early April, Han resigned to run for the presidency in last June’s snap election.
—CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
But after the court formally dismissed Yoon as president in early April, Han resigned to run for the presidency in last June's snap election.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
There are six monochrome colors to choose from, and the good news for shoppers who find that their pants tend to run too short or too long is that each colorway has the option to choose between a 31- or 29-inch inseam.
—Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025
Mangione's case will run parallel to federal charges, which carry the possibility of the death penalty.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ran
Verb
-
After initially laying motionless on the field surrounded by medical staff, Toure eventually trotted off the field under his own power.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
20 Dec. 2025
-
The pup, named Eba, appeared immune to being rushed and trotted behind at the farthest extent of her leash, tongue lolling, black eyes squinting in the afternoon sun.—
Kelso Harper,
Scientific American,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The victim retreated into the gym, and the suspect left the scene, according to police.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
No longer a complete unknown wrapped in the Bob Dylan mystique, Chalamet has energized a balky awards circuit whose stars and filmmakers years ago had retreated from the rigors of self-promotion, with some still preferring to avoid it.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Law led Arapahoe to the Class 5A championship in 2009, then started his college career at Division III Salisbury before transferring to DU after one season.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The funding round is led by MMC Ventures and QED Investors, with participation from Lowercarbon Capital, BNVT Capital, Bosch Ventures, Centrotec, and Earthshot Ventures.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The kids ranged in age from four to twelve; the military tent was soon being referred to as the Thunderdome, so constant was the ruckus.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Fosse’s subjects ranged, only not really.—
Lili Anolik,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Expect some of the money that once flowed to VR headsets to redirect to AI wearables.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The look featured a strapless, boned corset that flowed seamlessly into a floor-sweeping silhouette.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Moore took a few steps to his left before pitching the ball to fellow receiver Jauan Jennings, who raced to his right as if to run.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Hurricanes raced to a 9-0 lead on back-to-back dunks by freshman Shelton Henderson, extended the gap to 17-4 and led 47-33 at halftime.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The University of Washington product has seen his role grow as the Patriots have leaned more heavily into jumbo formations and their rushing attack.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Instead of hiding from mental illness, Kleckner’s artwork leaned into it.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Several good ol' boy Texans even drove up to the gate of a military base carrying their hunting rifles demanding to inspect the base for these martial-law troops.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Those same catalysts contributed to the searing inflation that drove the Consumer Price Index to a 40-year high in 2022.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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