as in poems
a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect
wrote many mournful runes after her lover's untimely death
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Recent Examples of runes
The suspect's shotgun and notes both featured Nordic runes.
—
Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
The symbol for Bluetooth comes from a combination of two ancient Nordic runes, or symbols, for the king’s initials.
—Shreyas Sen, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
The hot, scarred night of Mustafar is never-changing, the cave lit by the eternal glow of the ancient runes.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Reading the runes of the Apple special event invites is always interesting.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
The symbol for Bluetooth comes from a combination of two ancient Nordic runes, or symbols, for the king’s initials.
—Shreyas Sen, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
The hot, scarred night of Mustafar is never-changing, the cave lit by the eternal glow of the ancient runes.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Reading the runes of the Apple special event invites is always interesting.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runes
Noun
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On the night, Eva had largely chosen poems by 20th-century American writers — everything from Lucille Clifton to Philip Levine — in response to Kaufman’s work.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
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Matsumoto worked with collaborators to translate the book of tanka poems so everyone in her family could read them.—
Myrna Petlicki,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That qualifies as a bold move in an era when legendary and up-and-coming artists alike often hesitate to perform even one or two songs from their latest albums — the better to avoid an exodus of attendees making a beeline for refreshments, restrooms or the merch booths.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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Her songs in the film — written by Charli xcx, Jack Antonoff, and FKA twigs, who also co-stars — also have real pop bona fides.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Runes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runes. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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