run 1 of 3

Definition of runnext
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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

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as in to vary
to occur within a continuous range of variation the electric bill runs between 30 and 50 dollars a month

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as in to tend
to show a liking or proneness (for something) unfortunately, members of his family run to fatness

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to drive
to urge, push, or force onward they ran the horses hard in order to get to the ranch quickly

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as in to operate
to control the mechanical operation of I know how to run that machine

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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

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as in to melt
to go from a solid to a liquid state her makeup started to run when she got in the pool

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as in to cost
to have a price of that sort of computer runs at least several hundred dollars

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run (over)

2 of 3

verb (2)

ran

3 of 3

verb (3)

variants also chiefly dialectal run
past tense of run
1
2
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

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

5
6
7
as in leaned
to show a liking or proneness (for something) unfortunately, members of his family run to fatness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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as in cost
to have a price of that sort of computer runs at least several hundred dollars

Synonyms & Similar Words

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16

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of run
Verb
Attention turns to nearby SoFi Stadium, where the United States will open its 2026 World Cup run against Paraguay. Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026 She’s left to live, running but not yet caught. Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Verb
His right leg was run into when San Antonio's Harrison Barnes was fouled while going for a rebound and fell down, right into Brunson's leg. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026 The relaxed boyfriend fit sits comfortably at a mid-rise and runs loose through the hip and thigh, giving you that easy, lived-in feel that's perfect for long days of sightseeing. Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for run
Recent Examples of Synonyms for run
Verb
  • After a brief mound visit with Cubs manager Craig Counsell and an athletic trainer, Taillon walked off the field and Assad jogged in from the bullpen.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 8 June 2026
  • Now three weeks into jogging on his full body weight, Kittle is looking forward to getting cleared for football movements — run blocking, pass protection, route running, and rust knocking off.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • These seven episodes chronicle Louis’s seduction, his tumultuous affair with Lestat, Claudia’s turning, and Louis and Claudia’s attempt to murder their maker and escape a violent home life by fleeing to Europe.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 June 2026
  • Footage that circulated on social media appeared to capture festivalgoers fleeing from the shots as chaos erupted.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • The New York Knicks, led by star point guard Jalen Brunson, look to extend their lead to 3-0 against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night and effectively put the championship series to bed (In the history of the NBA Finals, no team has ever surmounted a 3-0 comeback).
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 June 2026
  • In March, the company raised a $5 billion Series H raise at a $61 billion valuation, led by venture capital firms Thrive Capital and Andreessen Horowitz.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Rooms vary in size and color palette but all offer soft rugs, silk throws, a neutral but warm color scheme with accent colors like purple, floral bouquets, and large beds just asking to be jumped on.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • Larger, more advanced studies will help researchers understand the connection and how significantly varying levels of exposure can impact your health.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • California air regulators approved a sweeping update of the state’s cap-and-invest program, tightening the pollution cap while reshaping how billions in climate dollars flow through communities and industry.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • As those creative juices start flowing, the superstar comedian realizes her illness might be fertile ground for a new special.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • The top 16 drivers will then race for the championship over the final 10 races.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 June 2026
  • None of the horses that raced in the Preakness Stakes will race in the Belmont Stakes, meaning no horse will have competed in all three legs of the Triple Crown.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Maine has the highest level of home heating oil usage in the country, and the rural nature of Maine’s second district means people tend to drive long distances.
    Margie Cullen, USA Today, 9 June 2026
  • Cafeterias are better because the noise tends to be more background in nature.
    Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Ties have cooled in recent years between the two sides – while Pyongyang drove closer to Moscow.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
  • Advocates have long criticized the conditions at the Aurora facility, and those complaints — alongside concerns that more facilities could open in the state — helped drive HB 1276’s contents.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 9 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Run.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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