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 mega watch party is free of charge and runs June 13 through July 5, with capacity for 30,000 daily attendees.
—
Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
In the second quarter just now, the Madison Square Garden video board ran a video segment thanking the NYPD, when earlier today, the two organizations appeared to be at odds over the watch party outside the arena, which is not happening tonight.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Native materials, like Caballero white marble from the north coast, run throughout the property, giving it a sandy, neutral appearance.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Jack Dreyer replaced Hurt and ran into his own issues.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
Ultra-luxury medical retreats can cost tens of thousands of dollars before flights, and multi-night stays at specialized clinics routinely run into the thousands of pounds.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026
Joined by The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and other hosts, the series will premiere on June 10 and run throughout the World Cup, reacting to the tournament action through Friedland’s comedic lens.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 10 June 2026
Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Wednesday against eight pro-Palestinian activists who are accused of conspiring to run a criminal intimidation campaign against University of Michigan officials while trying to force the school to cut financial ties to Israel.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
The cost of running the A/C is exacerbating the problem.
—Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
In the second quarter just now, the Madison Square Garden video board ran a video segment thanking the NYPD, when earlier today, the two organizations appeared to be at odds over the watch party outside the arena, which is not happening tonight.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Native materials, like Caballero white marble from the north coast, run throughout the property, giving it a sandy, neutral appearance.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Jack Dreyer replaced Hurt and ran into his own issues.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
Ultra-luxury medical retreats can cost tens of thousands of dollars before flights, and multi-night stays at specialized clinics routinely run into the thousands of pounds.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026
Joined by The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and other hosts, the series will premiere on June 10 and run throughout the World Cup, reacting to the tournament action through Friedland’s comedic lens.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 10 June 2026
Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Wednesday against eight pro-Palestinian activists who are accused of conspiring to run a criminal intimidation campaign against University of Michigan officials while trying to force the school to cut financial ties to Israel.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
The cost of running the A/C is exacerbating the problem.
—Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ran
Verb
-
Webb briefly trotted a few steps onto the field following the opening kick, full pads on and helmet strapped.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Nov. 2025
-
Just two months ago, a coyote was seen face-to-face with an iguana, the reptile whipping its tail in a desperate attempt to escape before the coyote trotted away carrying it in its mouth.—
Alyssa Dzikowski,
CBS News,
20 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Liverpool’s exposed back four retreated, and Chemsdine Talbi’s long-range effort deflected in off Van Dijk.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
While his story has been portrayed several times, Allan has retreated from the spotlight after testifying in Candy's trial.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Some of the largest donations came from a political action committee led by House Speaker Mike Johnson.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
-
Renard possesses significant international experience, having led Morocco at the 2018 World Cup in their first appearance since 1998, and guiding Saudi Arabia to a shock group stage win over eventual champions Argentina in 2022.—
Sam Joseph,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Elijah Craig 12 Year 3 Month Old Barrel Proof (Batch A925) came out on top after the whiskey magazine conducted hundreds of blind tastings of spirits from around the globe, which ranged from rare and extremely limited releases to new and emerging labels.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The errors have ranged from relatively minor pronunciation gaffes to significant changes to story content, like misattributing or inventing quotes and inserting commentary, such as interpreting a source’s quotes as the paper’s position on an issue.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Canapés and beverages flowed in abundance.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
-
The streams occasionally flowed together in a single, mighty river.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Jordan and Jenkins sued instead and raced most of the 2025 season uncharted.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
11 Dec. 2025
-
In last season’s Champions League quarter-finals, when eventual winners PSG raced into a two-goal lead, Villa responded with three in reply.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
For the night, the singer leaned upon one of her favorite beauty signatures—an immovable red lip, hair up in a fishtail braid, tied up with a team-colors blue and orange ribbon.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
11 June 2026
-
At the time of the injury, Chiefs vice president of sports medicine and performance Rick Burkholder provided a broad seven-to-11-month recovery timeline — and every update since has leaned optimistic.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
By 1986, this legal jeopardy drove all but one vaccine manufacturer out of the market, with that last survivor poised to abandon vaccines in the US as well.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Evidence shows planned meeting Prosecutors say cell phone geolocation and call records showed Campbell left his home in Anson and drove about 30 minutes to an Abilene hotel to meet the minors.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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