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
Leatherman ran toward two juvenile bystanders while Selmer ran toward downtown Emmitsburg, according to documents.
—
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Administration officials labeled Good and Pretti domestic terrorists and said Good, who was also behind the wheel of her car when shot, was trying to run officers over.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Under Faulkner, the Gators expect to run an offense that’ll require their receivers to be versatile.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Bednar ran into trouble right away, allowing a leadoff single to Nick Kurtz.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The horse then runs into traffic, where it is struck by a passing car.
—Nick Sullivan
april 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Each keeps a running tally of your federal and state obligations and displays them prominently.
—Kathy Yakal, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Claire Wadsworth, her partner in both the restaurant and love, runs front-of-house operations.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
As Europe is experiencing unseen polarisation, Genka and Ivan are running their agendas and must face each other.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Administration officials labeled Good and Pretti domestic terrorists and said Good, who was also behind the wheel of her car when shot, was trying to run officers over.
—Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Under Faulkner, the Gators expect to run an offense that’ll require their receivers to be versatile.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Bednar ran into trouble right away, allowing a leadoff single to Nick Kurtz.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The horse then runs into traffic, where it is struck by a passing car.
—Nick Sullivan
april 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Each keeps a running tally of your federal and state obligations and displays them prominently.
—Kathy Yakal, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Claire Wadsworth, her partner in both the restaurant and love, runs front-of-house operations.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
As Europe is experiencing unseen polarisation, Genka and Ivan are running their agendas and must face each other.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 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
-
While one of them retreated to the back seat, the more mischievous of the pair sat on the driver’s chair, slamming both paws into the steering wheel to activate the horn.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The strongest lingering image of Vernon in the broader culture is still the bearded woodsman who retreated to the wilderness with a broken heart and returned with a gnomic, insular album that would against all odds come to define its era, or at least one tendency within it.—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nick Schmaltz led the Mammoth with two goals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Blackhawks led 1-0 and rallied to force 4-4 and 7-7 ties before junior pitcher Jenna Sheehan settled down for South Elgin and finished strong with three shutout innings.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After those four arrests, his time in jail ranged from one day to one month.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Under offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, the Hurricanes’ offense has ranged from solid to the best in the nation.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
About 80% of its oil flowed through the Strait of Hormuz, and Qatar had been supplying a quarter of its LNG.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Ideas flowed more freely, teams spotted and solved problems earlier, and employees took pride in identifying and implementing improvements.—
Vicente Reynal,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the image spread online, an ambulance raced to find them.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Alibaba has raced to expand its AI offerings amid intense competition in China, building on its flagship Qwen large language model and chatbot app.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Brown has leaned more heavily into actions featuring both All-Stars — particularly pick-and-rolls, dribble hand-offs (DHO) and give-and-go actions — as the playoffs approach.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Squeezed out of traditional roles, many in the generation have leaned into unconventional work habits as a workaround.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Colton Ludwig also drove in two runs for Kaneland (2-4-1).—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Peterson drove Boise students for bus provider Durham School Services.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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