rundown 1 of 3

noun

ˈrən-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce rundown (audio)
Definition of rundownnext
as in summary
a short statement of the main points a rundown of the suspect's lengthy police record

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

run-down

2 of 3

adjective

ˈrən-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce run-down (audio)
1
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect a run-down old house that really should be torn down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body I'm afraid I'll be staying home today as I'm feeling run-down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

run down

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to find
to come upon after searching, study, or effort finally ran down the answer after hours of research

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of constantly running down the city's cultural life won't do anything to improve it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 rundown
Noun
On the third floor of a rundown building in a noisy Delhi market, Mohammad Faiz moves from one lecture to another, filling a notebook with neat rows of text over the course of six hours. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026 See my review of the free edition for a full rundown of its abilities. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The huge backdrop gave the image of an old run-down highway featuring road barricades and streetlights. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026 That was a dicey, run-down discount-clothing store on Broadway, around 96th Street. — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, Lou celebrated her fashion week milestone in a light pink acid wash denim minidress, which featured a structured peplum bodice embellished with buttons running down the front. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 3 Oct. 2026 Instead, the clock ran down to 21 seconds, at which point the Packers took a penalty for delay of game. — Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rundown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rundown
  1. summary
  2. dilapidated
  3. sick
  4. find
  5. dismiss
  6. neglected
  7. poorly
  8. learn
Noun
  • At the age of 36, Fazio instead provides a summary of his experiences.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The remaining men were handed lighter punishments, the summaries show.
    — Sharon Otterman, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of summary
Adjective
  • Protesters have decried dilapidated schools, overcrowded classrooms, staff shortages and inequalities in the education system.
    — Ellen Francis, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Through her nonprofit, UniteWI, owner Bria Grant bought the 112-year-old building from the City of Milwaukee in 2019 in a dilapidated state.
    — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of dilapidated
Adjective
  • Along with missing guard Dru Smith (right calf strain) and two-way contract forward Keshad Johnson (right hamstring strain) for the second straight exhibition game, the Heat was also without guard Pelle Larsson (sick) on Thursday.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Two types of influenza — A and B — are responsible for the seasonal flu epidemics that make people sick, according to the California Department of Public Health.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of sick
Verb
  • Soaker bathtubs, gas fireplaces, and sofas for curling up with a good book are found here, too.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Not only does Jeong-yo have an emotional connection to his music performance that Pi-o struggles to find himself, but Pi-o has injured his pinky in the leadup to the final performance, thanks to his obsessive practicing.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of find
Verb
  • Tinubu was not criminally charged, and the case was dismissed with prejudice after the money was forfeited.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • After a Washtenaw County Court judge dismissed the suit, Shriver refiled the FOIA case in Michigan’s Court of Claims last month.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Adjective
  • Investors and analysts are increasingly looking to other parts of the market, both to find neglected sources of value and to start assuming a defensive posture against a possible downturn.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • Changing their environment is more reliable and more neglected.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Definition of neglected
Adjective
  • For however poorly things are going — and the bad tone set by the starters has leaked into some defensive lapses and some pressing at the plate — the Padres got themselves into a really favorable position before this.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.
    — Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Definition of poorly
Verb
  • Saving the lives of animals while juggling love and hardship, Kate must learn to heal herself along the way.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • McKinsey was about learning and always being curious and solving problems.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of learn

Browse Nearby Words

rundlets
rundown
run-down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rundown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rundown. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of galore

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All