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
The narrow fertile strip that formed the Phoenician cities’ homeland runs about 200km north-south along the coast.
—
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Just note that shoppers say the shoes run a bit small, so sizing up is best.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
After Short's body was discovered, the Los Angeles Police Department launched an investigation, which ran until 1950 when it was shut down, according to 48 Hours.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Witnesses said as soon as shots rang out, the group began running and bystanders on the block began taking cover, some ducking behind school buses.
—Allen Devlin, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
The regional grid operator typically directs the cheapest units to run first, which means wind — which carries no cost for fuel — will be called on more, as more facilities get up and running.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
That being said, expect the Patriots to come out and run the ball.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
If the money runs out, the bus stops running.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Everyone is running their mouths again.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Just note that shoppers say the shoes run a bit small, so sizing up is best.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
After Short's body was discovered, the Los Angeles Police Department launched an investigation, which ran until 1950 when it was shut down, according to 48 Hours.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Witnesses said as soon as shots rang out, the group began running and bystanders on the block began taking cover, some ducking behind school buses.
—Allen Devlin, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
The regional grid operator typically directs the cheapest units to run first, which means wind — which carries no cost for fuel — will be called on more, as more facilities get up and running.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
That being said, expect the Patriots to come out and run the ball.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
If the money runs out, the bus stops running.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Everyone is running their mouths again.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
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
-
Then, in August 2014, her Modern Family costar Julie Bowen intervened and helped Hyland end her relationship, which, per Hyland's restraining order filing, allegedly led Prokop to threaten to kill her dog and burn down her house.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Park led a presentation Friday morning in the Council Chamber during the City Council’s first session of the new year following a three-week recess.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
10 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
-
Her version of Billie Jo leaned into the character’s ambition and flair for entertainment.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Epic has leaned into marquee European resorts and interconnected ski domains.—
Bailey Berg,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The process is called cabotage and the merchants who plied the shores of the Mediterranean not only drove trade, but also increased interactions between cultures.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Jake Davis made a 3-pointer, and Wagler drove inside for a three-point play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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