Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

run-in

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of run-in

a brief clash between enemies or rivals
  • the rival gangs had a bit of a run-in last night
Synonyms of run-in

brush, encounter, hassle, scrape, skirmish
Words Related to run-in

argument, fight, quarrel, row, spat, squabble, tiff

battle, brawl, fray, wrangle

run in

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of run in

1 to make a brief visit
  • I just thought I'd run in and pick up my package
Synonyms of run in

call, come by, come over, drop by, drop in, pop (in), run (over), step in, stop (by or in), visit
Words Related to run in

barge (in)

look up, see

bop (into), happen (by)

frequent, hang (at), haunt, resort (to)
2 to take or keep under oneʼs control by authority of law
  • if we catch you shoplifting again, we're going to run you in
Synonyms of run in

apprehend, arrest, bust [slang], collar, nab, nail, nick [British slang], pick up, pinch, pull in, restrain, seize
Words Related to run in

bag, capture, catch, get, grab, grapple, hook, land, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap

commit, confine, detain, hold, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up)

bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel

rearrest

remand
Near Antonyms of run in

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring

unbind, unchain
Antonyms of run in

discharge

Learn More about run-in

  1. See words that rhyme with run-in Dictionary: Definition of run-in Spanish Central: Translation of run-in Nglish: Translation of run-in for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up run-in? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

substantive

important, real, or meaningful

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. cache BuzzFeed reports on Trump-Cohen documents.

  2. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  3. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games