ran

variants also chiefly dialectal run
Definition of rannext
past tense of run
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as in led
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the road runs along the river for a while

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in ranged
to occur within a continuous range of variation the electric bill runs between 30 and 50 dollars a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

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7
as in leaned
to show a liking or proneness (for something) unfortunately, members of his family run to fatness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

8
as in drove
to urge, push, or force onward they ran the horses hard in order to get to the ranch quickly

Synonyms & Similar Words

9
as in operated
to control the mechanical operation of I know how to run that machine

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in cost
to have a price of that sort of computer runs at least several hundred dollars

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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 ran The helicopter, which was used by NBC and Telemundo, crashed about two hours after police say Rios drove her 2004 Ford Expedition the wrong way down a busy avenue, ran a red light and struck a vehicle before hitting the bus. Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026 This iconic Pasadena diner has been up and running since 1963, with local Michael Osborne taking the reins since the late ‘70s. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026 Epstein investigation churns in Congress Black is the latest among several prominent figures, including former President Clinton and Bill Gates, who have been asked to appear as part of the Oversight Committee’s long-running probe of Epstein. Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Peña pulverized it onto the train tracks that run above left field. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Production for the long-running show will move from Hollywood to Georgia, production and distribution company Fremantle confirmed to NBCLA. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026 Cloud adoption has changed where many retail systems run, but local workloads will always play a critical role in day-to-day store operations. Susan Odle, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026 This year both shows, as well as Brand Assembly, ran simultaneously. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026 The 2026 Tokyo Film Festival will run from October 26 to November 4. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ran
Verb
  • In the 10th, automatic runner Joey Ortiz advanced on a bunt and trotted home when Frelick bounced a single to right field off Grant Wolfram (6-4).
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • With his team up a touchdown midway through the first quarter, Jalen Brewster trotted back out to the field.
    McClain Baxley for the AJC, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • After Diana’s death following an August 1997 car crash, Jane retreated from the public eye.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Luckily, a Colts staffer hustled onto the field to get his attention, so Doyle retreated to the sideline and kept studying his play sheet.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • AmaWaterways arranges pre- and post-cruise stays of several nights in both cities with luxury accommodations, cultural exploration led by local experts, and transfers between hotel and ship.
    Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The work comes from a research group led by Ethan Secor, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Iowa State University and co-founder of startup Contour Circuits.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • My feelings about Dudamel as an interpreter have ranged from irritation at his turn-it-up-to-11 showiness to admiration for his ability to make listeners hear music afresh.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Bonus amounts for production line workers ranged from $245 to $750, with the majority receiving $750.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Private investment is growing—more than $14 billion flowed into nature in 2025—but remains nowhere close to the scale required.
    Marcene Mitchell, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Tears and emotions flowed after the game as Lewis’ family embraced the team.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Three plays later, Watson took a handoff and raced for a 14-yard touchdown.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Diaby intercepted a pass in the attacking third, raced to the edge of the penalty box and blasted a rising shot into the net to cap the scoring in the 63rd minute.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Seasonal Krispy Kreme doughnuts Krispy Kreme leaned heavily into fruit-forward flavors this summer.
    Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The witness said that as the victim was fleeing, a man leaned out of the front door of the business and yelled something before going back inside.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The helicopter, which was used by NBC and Telemundo, crashed about two hours after police say Rios drove her 2004 Ford Expedition the wrong way down a busy avenue, ran a red light and struck a vehicle before hitting the bus.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Stocks posted a comeback one day after the Fed's decision to raise rates by a quarter percentage point — with the suggestion of at least one more rate increase this year — drove major market averages sharply lower Wednesday.
    Justina Lee,Sarah Min, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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