Synonyms of run

run 1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈrən 

1

as in to jog

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

• jog
• trot
• race
• sprint
• hurry
• speed
• gallop
• skip
• scamper
• rush
• trip
• leap
• dash
• scurry
• scoot
• zip
• bound
• hustle
• spring
• course
• scuttle
• rip
• hurl
• lope
• breeze
• hare
• tear
• shag
• rocket
• hurtle
• jet
• hasten
• blast
• hie
• blow
• ram
• leg (it)
• bowl
• belt
• barrel
• whisk
• zoom
• hump
• blaze
• careen
• whirl
• step (along)
• pelt
• buzz
• foot (it)
• shoot
• bolt
• hoof (it)
• canter
• rustle
• nip
• bomb
• bustle
• hotfoot (it)
• cannonball
• patter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stroll
• drag
• saunter
• shuffle
• amble
• crawl
• linger
• creep
• poke
• lag
• dawdle
• loiter
• shamble
• tarry
• trudge
• limp
• lumber
• hobble
• plod
• dillydally
• dally

2

as in to flee

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

• flee
• fly
• retreat
• bolt
• escape
• break
• run off
• beat a retreat
• run away
• beat it
• turn tail
• bug out
• skedaddle
• hightail (it)
• make tracks
• get out
• get (away)
• skip (out)
• clear out
• abscond
• make off
• scram
• decamp
• light out
• elope
• scat
• lam
• skirr
• scarper
• mizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confront
• dare
• face
• beard
• remain
• defy
• stay
• brave
• dwell
• linger
• abide
• hang around
• stick around
• tarry

3

as in to lead

to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction

the road runs along the river for a while

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lead
• go
• extend
• lie
• head
• pass
• cut
• cross
• bear
• course
• follow
• span
• traverse

4

as in to vary

to occur within a continuous range of variation

the electric bill runs between 30 and 50 dollars a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vary
• range
• go
• move
• reach
• change
• shift
• fluctuate
• extend
• alternate
• sweep
• stretch
• mutate

5

as in to flow

to move in a stream

water running down the window

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flow
• pour
• stream
• drip
• rush
• roll
• race
• emanate
• course
• issue
• flood
• arise
• spring
• ripple
• flush
• fountain
• spurt
• overrun
• gush
• engulf
• effuse
• inundate
• trickle
• sheet
• cascade
• swamp
• spout
• overflow
• disembogue
• deluge
• wash out
• dribble
• riffle
• gutter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• back up
• set
• gel
• harden
• coagulate
• congeal
• clot

6

as in to race

to proceed or move quickly

run and get the nurse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• race
• hurry
• speed
• scurry
• trot
• travel
• rush
• drive
• fly
• jump
• chase
• zip
• scoot
• scuttle
• jog
• blow
• buzz
• rip
• step
• dart
• tear
• blast
• dash
• course
• career
• hurl
• breeze
• ram
• motor
• zoom
• crack (on)
• shoot
• bowl
• hare
• whirl
• get a move on
• rocket
• hurtle
• bolt
• hasten
• beat it
• jet
• bundle
• hustle
• hie
• barrel
• blaze
• gallop
• whisk
• belt
• hump
• nip
• rustle
• careen
• pelt
• make tracks
• step on it
• shake a leg
• scamper
• highball
• bomb
• bustle
• flit
• sprint
• streak
• cannonball
• hotfoot (it)
• accelerate
• outrun
• overtake
• stampede
• step out
• whiz
• outpace
• quicken
• catch up
• beetle
• outstrip
• scud
• scuffle
• arrow
• fast-forward
• beeline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crawl
• creep
• drag
• poke
• linger
• hang (around or out)
• poke
• lag
• stroll
• dawdle
• loiter
• saunter
• shuffle
• tarry
• amble
• lumber
• slow (down or up)
• plod
• decelerate
• dillydally
• dally

7

as in to tend

to show a liking or proneness (for something)

unfortunately, members of his family run to fatness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tend
• lean
• go
• incline
• trend
• indicate
• suggest
• point
• gravitate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• shun
• shy (from or away from)

8

as in to drive

to urge, push, or force onward

they ran the horses hard in order to get to the ranch quickly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drive
• herd
• punch
• shepherd
• whip
• spur
• prompt
• egg
• wrangle
• press
• exhort
• prod
• hound
• goad
• flog
• prick
• scourge

9

as in to operate

to control the mechanical operation of

I know how to run that machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operate
• use
• handle
• work
• manipulate
• drive
• steer
• wield
• control
• maneuver
• guide
• pilot
• ply
• direct
• command

10

as in to become

to eventually have as a state or quality

the poor woman ran herself ragged trying to care for all those children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• become
• get
• go
• grow
• come
• turn
• change
• transform
• modify
• wax
• alter
• mutate
• transmute
• metamorphose
• transfigure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• be
• continue
• remain
• stay
• linger
• abide

11

as in to melt

to go from a solid to a liquid state

her makeup started to run when she got in the pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

• melt
• thaw
• found
• liquefy
• flux
• soften
• fuse
• try
• smelt
• dissolve
• deliquesce
• render
• thin
• gutter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• set
• solidify
• harden
• gel
• coagulate
• thicken
• congeal
• jell
• clot
• jelly

12

as in to manage

to look after and make decisions about

learning to run the family business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operate
• manage
• supervise
• oversee
• control
• regulate
• handle
• conduct
• govern
• tend
• keep
• administer
• carry on
• protect
• guide
• direct
• preside (over)
• watch over
• administrate
• steer
• steward
• lead
• watch
• overlook
• superintend
• safeguard
• pilot
• care (for)
• guard
• mind
• micromanage
• codirect
• comanage
• stage-manage

13

as in to activate

to cause to function

in olden days mills were run by flowing water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• activate
• trigger
• drive
• spark
• power
• generate
• set off
• move
• start
• fuel
• push
• turn on
• ignite
• provoke
• actuate
• touch off
• crank (up)
• launch
• charge
• fire
• electrify
• energize
• switch
• stimulate
• turn over
• kick over
• stir up
• trip
• reactivate
• release
• accelerate
• recharge
• incite
• instigate
• discharge
• catalyze
• jump-start
• kick-start
• quicken
• excite
• step up
• arouse
• speed (up)
• vitalize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cut
• kill
• shut off
• stop
• check
• cut out
• turn off
• stick
• cut off
• draw up
• halt
• brake
• arrest
• deactivate
• slow
• stall
• suppress
• jam
• repress
• decelerate
• stunt

14

as in to cost

to have a price of

that sort of computer runs at least several hundred dollars

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cost
• fetch
• bring
• sell (for)
• go (for)
• come (to)
• ask
• list (for)
• amount (to)
• exact
• demand
• total
• command

15

as in to travel

to come or be together as friends

he's been running with a bad crowd lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

• travel
• connect
• collaborate
• mix
• associate
• bond
• company
• join
• mingle
• befriend
• hook up
• sort
• rub shoulders (with)
• take up with
• relate
• hang (around or out)
• cooperate
• consociate
• fraternize
• fall in with
• friend
• pal (around)
• rally
• tie
• rub elbows (with)
• keep company (with)
• consort
• team
• couple
• socialize
• get along
• chum
• club
• hobnob
• get on
• group
• affiliate
• collude
• mess around
• link
• gang
• be friends with
• attach
• side
• league
• interrelate
• knot
• ally
• confederate
• band
• wed
• conjoin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• shun
• alienate
• snub
• split (up)
• split
• disperse
• break up
• disband
• cold-shoulder
• dissociate
• sever
• divorce
• estrange
• sunder
• disjoin
• disunite

16

as in to chase

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

• chase
• pursue
• track
• escort
• accompany
• course
• trace
• follow
• tail
• dog
• trail
• run after
• tag
• hound
• shadow
• bird-dog
• watch
• seek
• hunt
• search (for)
• eye
• chaperone
• observe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lead
• guide
• pilot
• head

run

2 of 5

noun

1

as in tendency

a prevailing or general movement or inclination

the company's stock has remained consistent with the overall run of the market

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tendency
• direction
• tide
• trend
• wind
• drift
• shift
• current
• turn
• curve
• leaning
• swing
• way
• habit
• custom
• downside
• tenor
• propensity
• upside
• turnabout
• countercurrent
• countertrend
• undertow
• undercurrent

2

as in brook

chiefly Midland a natural body of running water smaller than a river

a run full of catfish

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brook
• creek
• stream
• burn
• rivulet
• rill
• tributary
• beck
• canal
• runnel
• wash
• fresh
• bayou
• bourn
• streamlet
• runoff
• brooklet
• race
• runlet
• gill
• kill
• channel
• cut
• slough
• cutoff
• arroyo
• freshet
• coulee
• waterway
• branch
• watercourse
• affluent
• billabong
• millrace
• influent
• millstream
• distributary
• confluent
• gut

3

as in duration

the period during which something exists, lasts, or is in progress

the actor has been assigned the part for the run of the show

Synonyms & Similar Words

• duration
• time
• lifespan
• life
• lifetime
• continuance
• date
• standing
• span
• term
• stretch
• tour
• tenure
• spell
• hitch
• turn
• longevity
• age
• half-life

4

as in authorization

the right to act or move freely

gave the dogs the run of the place

Synonyms & Similar Words

• authorization
• latitude
• freedom
• control
• license
• power
• free hand
• authority
• mandate
• room
• command
• sway
• hold
• space
• dominion
• clutch
• mastery
• grip
• range
• carte blanche
• blank check

5

as in trots

runs plural abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools

with weekend guests in the house, it was no time to get the runs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trots
• diarrhea
• Delhi belly
• Montezuma's revenge
• flux
• turista
• dysentery
• shigellosis
• scour(s)

run (over)

3 of 5

verb (2)

as in to visit

to make a brief visit

I could run over right now if that's good for you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• visit
• run in
• stop (by or in)
• drop by
• come over
• drop in
• step in
• pop (in)
• call
• see
• come by
• resort (to)
• happen (by)
• hang (at)
• barge (in)
• look up
• haunt
• bop (into)
• frequent

run over

4 of 5

verb (3)

as in to practice

to do over and over so as to become skilled

let's run over this dance number one more time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• practice
• exercise
• prepare (for)
• point (for)
• train (with)
• repeat
• work (at or on)
• perfect
• drill
• refine
• study
• rehearse
• review
• groove

ran

5 of 5

verb (4)

variants also chiefly dialectal run

past tense of 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

• trotted
• jogged
• sprinted
• raced
• galloped
• sped
• hurried
• rushed
• scampered
• skipped
• dashed
• leaped
• tripped
• scurried
• scooted
• zipped
• hustled
• bounded
• sprang
• loped
• tore
• cantered
• hurled
• breezed
• scuttled
• bowled
• blazed
• bolted
• rocketed
• hastened
• rammed
• blasted
• hurtled
• ripped
• careened
• blew
• whisked
• buzzed
• barreled
• hied
• zoomed
• bustled
• whirled
• coursed
• rustled
• pelted
• jetted
• humped
• shagged
• stepped (along)
• pattered
• belted
• shot
• footed (it)
• legged (it)
• bombed
• nipped
• hared
• cannonballed
• hotfooted (it)
• hoofed (it)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strolled
• sauntered
• shuffled
• dragged
• ambled
• lingered
• crept
• crawled
• lagged
• poked
• loitered
• shambled
• trudged
• dawdled
• tarried
• dallied
• plodded
• lumbered
• limped
• hobbled
• dillydallied

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

• retreated
• flew
• fled
• bolted
• escaped
• broke
• skedaddled
• ran off
• ran away
• beat a retreat
• beat it
• turned tail
• bugged out
• made tracks
• hightailed (it)
• got (away)
• decamped
• lit
• got out
• absconded
• made off
• scrammed
• skipped (out)
• eloped
• cleared out
• scarpered
• lammed
• scatted
• skirred
• mizzled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confronted
• faced
• dared
• braved
• remained
• defied
• bearded
• stayed
• lingered
• dwelled
• hung around
• tarried
• abided
• stuck around

3

as in led

to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction

the road runs along the river for a while

Synonyms & Similar Words

• led
• went
• extended
• headed
• lay
• bore
• passed
• crossed
• cut
• followed
• spanned
• traversed
• coursed

4

as in ranged

to occur within a continuous range of variation

the electric bill runs between 30 and 50 dollars a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ranged
• varied
• went
• moved
• shifted
• reached
• changed
• alternated
• swept
• fluctuated
• extended
• stretched
• mutated

5

as in flowed

to move in a stream

water running down the window

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flowed
• poured
• streamed
• dripped
• rolled
• rushed
• raced
• flooded
• sprang
• issued
• emanated
• arose
• rippled
• spurted
• effused
• flushed
• gushed
• engulfed
• coursed
• trickled
• deluged
• spouted
• inundated
• swamped
• overflowed
• overran
• riffled
• cascaded
• dribbled
• fountained
• guttered
• sheeted
• disembogued
• washed out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• backed up
• set
• hardened
• coagulated
• gelled
• congealed
• clotted

6

as in raced

to proceed or move quickly

run and get the nurse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• raced
• sped
• trotted
• scurried
• hurried
• rushed
• traveled
• drove
• flew
• jumped
• chased
• zipped
• scooted
• darted
• stepped
• buzzed
• tore
• blew
• scuttled
• jogged
• dashed
• blasted
• bolted
• rammed
• bowled
• ripped
• hustled
• zoomed
• hurled
• blazed
• breezed
• whirled
• galloped
• barreled
• bundled
• rocketed
• motored
• hastened
• hurtled
• whisked
• careened
• rustled
• hied
• careered
• bustled
• cracked (on)
• coursed
• pelted
• nipped
• jetted
• humped
• belted
• beat it
• shot
• sprinted
• hared
• bombed
• scampered
• stepped on it
• flitted
• cannonballed
• streaked
• highballed
• hotfooted (it)
• shook a leg
• made tracks
• got a move on
• scudded
• whizzed
• stampeded
• scuffled
• accelerated
• overtook
• outran
• quickened
• outpaced
• beetled
• stepped out
• outstripped
• arrowed
• caught up
• beelined
• fast-forwarded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crept
• crawled
• dragged
• poked
• lingered
• lagged
• hung (around or out)
• strolled
• poked
• loitered
• sauntered
• shuffled
• ambled
• tarried
• dallied
• plodded
• lumbered
• dawdled
• slowed (down or up)
• decelerated
• dillydallied

7

as in leaned

to show a liking or proneness (for something)

unfortunately, members of his family run to fatness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• leaned
• tended
• inclined
• went
• trended
• pointed
• indicated
• suggested
• gravitated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoided
• shunned
• shied (from or away from)

8

as in drove

to urge, push, or force onward

they ran the horses hard in order to get to the ranch quickly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drove
• punched
• herded
• shepherded
• whipped
• spurred
• prompted
• hounded
• exhorted
• pressed
• pricked
• wrangled
• prodded
• goaded
• egged
• flogged
• scourged

9

as in operated

to control the mechanical operation of

I know how to run that machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operated
• used
• handled
• worked
• drove
• manipulated
• wielded
• steered
• controlled
• maneuvered
• plied
• guided
• directed
• piloted
• commanded

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

• became
• went
• grew
• got
• came
• turned
• waxed
• changed
• transformed
• modified
• altered
• metamorphosed
• transmuted
• mutated
• transfigured

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• was
• continued
• remained
• stayed
• lingered
• abided

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

• melted
• thawed
• fused
• tried
• founded
• softened
• fluxed
• liquefied
• deliquesced
• dissolved
• smelted
• rendered
• thinned
• guttered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• set
• solidified
• hardened
• thickened
• coagulated
• congealed
• clotted
• gelled
• jelled
• jellied

12

as in managed

to look after and make decisions about

learning to run the family business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operated
• managed
• oversaw
• conducted
• supervised
• controlled
• handled
• regulated
• governed
• administered
• directed
• tended
• kept
• guided
• carried on
• steered
• watched over
• protected
• presided (over)
• administrated
• led
• stewarded
• watched
• superintended
• overlooked
• piloted
• guarded
• safeguarded
• cared (for)
• minded
• codirected
• micromanaged
• stage-managed
• comanaged

13

as in triggered

to cause to function

in olden days mills were run by flowing water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• triggered
• activated
• sparked
• drove
• powered
• generated
• moved
• started
• fueled
• set off
• pushed
• ignited
• turned on
• touched off
• provoked
• actuated
• cranked (up)
• launched
• charged
• electrified
• fired
• switched
• turned over
• stimulated
• released
• energized
• tripped
• kicked over
• reactivated
• instigated
• discharged
• accelerated
• stirred up
• incited
• excited
• quickened
• recharged
• aroused
• stepped up
• catalyzed
• kick-started
• jump-started
• sped (up)
• vitalized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cut
• killed
• stopped
• checked
• turned off
• shut off
• cut out
• stuck
• halted
• arrested
• cut off
• stalled
• jammed
• drew up
• slowed
• deactivated
• suppressed
• braked
• stunted
• repressed
• decelerated

14

as in cost

to have a price of

that sort of computer runs at least several hundred dollars

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cost
• fetched
• brought
• went (for)
• sold (for)
• listed (for)
• came (to)
• totaled
• asked
• amounted (to)
• demanded
• commanded
• exacted

15

as in traveled

to come or be together as friends

he's been running with a bad crowd lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

• traveled
• collaborated
• connected
• associated
• mingled
• mixed
• bonded
• joined
• befriended
• hooked up
• related
• cooperated
• rubbed shoulders (with)
• took up with
• sorted
• consorted
• tied
• teamed
• chummed
• hung (around or out)
• rallied
• linked
• fell in with
• rubbed elbows (with)
• companied
• coupled
• grouped
• hobnobbed
• consociated
• fraternized
• was friends with
• allied
• kept company (with)
• affiliated
• attached
• palled (around)
• clubbed
• knotted
• socialized
• ganged
• messed around
• colluded
• got on
• sided
• got along
• banded
• interrelated
• friended
• leagued
• confederated
• conjoined
• wedded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoided
• shunned
• snubbed
• dispersed
• alienated
• split
• split (up)
• disbanded
• estranged
• severed
• cold-shouldered
• broke up
• divorced
• dissociated
• sundered
• disjoined
• disunited

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

• chased
• tracked
• pursued
• escorted
• trailed
• traced
• followed
• accompanied
• ran after
• hounded
• tailed
• coursed
• tagged
• shadowed
• dogged
• watched
• bird-dogged
• sought
• hunted
• chaperoned
• searched (for)
• eyed
• observed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• led
• guided
• headed
• piloted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of run

Verb

Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group runs both of the Whitney’s two dining outlets. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Track pants are the seasonless trend that has the relaxed, easy-to-wear feel of sweats but looks far more upscale and put together for traveling and running errands. — Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Noun

Brooks Lee's two-run single in the eighth inning lifted the Minnesota Twins to a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night. — CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Trade deadline acquisition Lars Nootbaar had his first hit and RBI as a Diamondback to begin a six-run fourth. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

The offense broke out against Kansas City Royals starter Randy Dobnak and the bullpen, and left-hander Matthew Boyd allowed just two runs over seven innings in a 10-2 victory to secure the series victory. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

The government’s total debt on interest alone now runs over $1 trillion annually, more than the United States spends on national defense. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

Verb

Building Your Own Aaron Gibson runs an analytics platform called Hurree. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Cummins is a former senior vice president at the government contractor Serco, which runs air traffic control towers at 60 American airports. — Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing run

• dry run
• run (over)
• run across
• run after
• run against
• run along
• run amok
• run amuck
• run away
• run by
• run circles around
• run down
• run in
• run into
• run off
• run off with
• run on
• run one's mouth
• run out of
• run over
• run past
• run rings around
• run riot
• run the risk of
• run through
• run to seed
• run upon