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
Cheek initially runs towards the pass but gambles on the ball bouncing over the defender and runs behind him.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Videos from in front of the school show the streets splattered with blood, gunshots sounding in the distance, and a flurry of men — young and old — frantically running around and calling for help.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
While that initiative ran into funding problems—despite an initial $100 million backing by Mark Zuckerberg and others—the idea of light propulsion isn’t going away.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
Their taste runs so deeply Hollywood, their references so opulent and cinematic, that even a drink tray—in its cream lacquer and chrome border—tempts a standing ovation.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, doing that also would mean running smack into a Trumpian wall.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
In some cases, however, patience could be running thin.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Keep it running overnight in the bedroom with windows closed.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
The pavilion will have heating, but no air conditioning in order to allow the market to run year-round, but on a smaller scale in the winter, Ralph said.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Videos from in front of the school show the streets splattered with blood, gunshots sounding in the distance, and a flurry of men — young and old — frantically running around and calling for help.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
While that initiative ran into funding problems—despite an initial $100 million backing by Mark Zuckerberg and others—the idea of light propulsion isn’t going away.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
Their taste runs so deeply Hollywood, their references so opulent and cinematic, that even a drink tray—in its cream lacquer and chrome border—tempts a standing ovation.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, doing that also would mean running smack into a Trumpian wall.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
In some cases, however, patience could be running thin.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Keep it running overnight in the bedroom with windows closed.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
The pavilion will have heating, but no air conditioning in order to allow the market to run year-round, but on a smaller scale in the winter, Ralph said.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ran
Verb
-
When Smith’s throw in the dirt squirted away from shortstop Miguel Rojas, the winning run trotted in from third base.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The gray wolf howled, trotted back and forth, and gradually worked closer and closer to the nervous but fascinated caribou.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The result of days of negotiations Thursday’s proceedings came to a standstill as lawmakers retreated behind closed doors and Johnson reached for an agreement to resolve the standoff.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Baker retreated up another flight up stairs and called out to Rivera, who was on the floor below his perch.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Theresa Ochoa needed just one save to record the shutout, getting plenty of help from a defense led by Maya Pantoja, Salma Habaibeh and Grace Stachowicz.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Hartigan succeeds Jane Carpenter-Rock, who has led SAAM on an interim basis since September 2024, when Stephanie Stebich was removed as director and reassigned to an advisory role at the Smithsonian Institution.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once it was established that the group wasn’t moving—and police intervention would be required—the reactions ranged.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Work has ranged from inspections and resurfacing to weed eating and lawn mowing.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the town assessed damages and began to recover, community support flowed in; the fire department offered hot meals to volunteers, utility companies set up free charging and WiFi stations and contractors distributed care packages for those affected.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Trails thread through remnants of the same ancient sea that once also flowed over South Dakota's Badlands National Park—keep an eye out for fossils.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The measure cleared the Senate by voice vote, without a formal roll call, as Congress raced to meet a Monday deadline.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
While the Avs raced to a historic 31-2-7 start, there were some mixed results in the second half of the season.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Harbaugh, no surprise, leaned into that on both sides of the ball in the first round.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Head coach Juan Carlos Amoros has leaned heavily on younger players to start the season, such as rookies Jordynn Dudley and Andrea Kitahata.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Izzo, meanwhile, drove in two runs with a groundout and a sacrifice fly.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The lack of information drove Congress last year to pass the bill forcing the DOJ to release the Epstein files.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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