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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of runes
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
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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His poems employ numbers significant to Dine (Navajo) thought and ways of life.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
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There’s hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of poems in my journals that come right after a sad story or a happy story or whatever.—
Jessica Firger,
SELF,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Many songs are now written on computers, using sequencers, patterns, and loops, with notes laid out in perfect synchrony on a rhythmic, 4/4 grid.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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More than two dozen protesters lined the inside and hallway outside of Little’s office for hours, holding transgender rights signs and singing songs that could be heard throughout the Statehouse.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Runes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runes. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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