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
This is the first time, to my knowledge, that an incumbent mayor in the City of Angels would be running against a challenger whose campaign manager is God Almighty.
—
Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Odd moment plagues fourth quarter As the Knicks held on to their fairly sizable lead, a fan ran onto the court, tried to take a selfie with Wembanyama but was quickly apprehended by security.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
The fan came from the sideline opposite the team benches, starting from behind the play and running into San Antonio’s offensive end.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
However, operations were closed for approximately 10 hours on the railroad, which is a main line that runs from Chicago, Illinois, to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, BNSF officials told CBS LA.
—CBS News, 4 June 2026
His right leg was run into when San Antonio's Harrison Barnes was fouled while going for a rebound and fell down, right into Brunson's leg.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026
The relaxed boyfriend fit sits comfortably at a mid-rise and runs loose through the hip and thigh, giving you that easy, lived-in feel that's perfect for long days of sightseeing.
—Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
However, it could also be seen as a sign of the strength of Pratt running a campaign with a clear message and going beyond relying just on name recognition.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Her father ran onto the court to check on her as the American player clutched her injured ACL and meniscus.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Odd moment plagues fourth quarter As the Knicks held on to their fairly sizable lead, a fan ran onto the court, tried to take a selfie with Wembanyama but was quickly apprehended by security.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
The fan came from the sideline opposite the team benches, starting from behind the play and running into San Antonio’s offensive end.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
However, operations were closed for approximately 10 hours on the railroad, which is a main line that runs from Chicago, Illinois, to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, BNSF officials told CBS LA.
—CBS News, 4 June 2026
His right leg was run into when San Antonio's Harrison Barnes was fouled while going for a rebound and fell down, right into Brunson's leg.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026
The relaxed boyfriend fit sits comfortably at a mid-rise and runs loose through the hip and thigh, giving you that easy, lived-in feel that's perfect for long days of sightseeing.
—Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
However, it could also be seen as a sign of the strength of Pratt running a campaign with a clear message and going beyond relying just on name recognition.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Her father ran onto the court to check on her as the American player clutched her injured ACL and meniscus.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ran
Verb
-
Second baseman Alex Freeland grabbed it and dove to beat Castro to first base for the out, but Rumfield trotted home on the play.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
-
The traveling show has globe-trotted annually, most recently to New York and the likes of Hangzhou, China; Manchester, England, and Dakar, Senegal.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
While India’s media landscape has largely retreated in the face of the Hindu right’s fascism, Kandasamy is one of the few consistently at the barricades.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Travel stocks — Shares of airlines and cruise operators rose as oil prices retreated on Wednesday.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Phelan warns Paxton could cost Republicans the state Former Speaker Dade Phelan led the House during the Paxton impeachment.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
With its overall Life in Balance philosophy, Miraval Resorts and Spas has led the way in recognizing just how valuable and restorative a true connection with other humans and the natural environment can be.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The victims ranged in age from 7 to 45 years old, Demlein said.—
Devon M. Sayers,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
Investigators say the children ranged in age from infants to 10 years old.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
She was hooked up to a hemodialysis machine where her blood flowed out of her body to be purified and was then transferred back into her body where it was reabsorbed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
That same evening, when the system was most strained, a crucial lifeline of about 8,000 MW of electricity flowed in from neighboring areas.—
Sufan Jiang,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
These two great rivals never raced each other again.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
After exchanging blows, the youngster raced on to a Djokovic drop shot before exquisitely returning with a faint backhand of his own, leaving his opponent with his hands on his knees in disbelief.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The back line has leaned heavily on young defenders such as Luca Bombino, Osvald Søe, Manu Duah and Oscar Verhoeven — and has needed Christopher McVey to be the adult in the room.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Ribeiro leaned into their on-screen chemistry as a family unit when creating a sizzle reel to get financing for the project.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
As the family entered the intersection, Erickson drove by them and avoided a collision.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Tovar drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to right field in the second.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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