1
as in smuggler
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally
a drug runner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in messenger
one that carries a message or does an errand
sent a runner to tell them that all was ready for the feast
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 runner
An advanced route runner, Rogers showed growth as a run blocker in 2025.
—
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Witt was set to face Angels pitcher Sam Bachman with two runners aboard.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The left-hander had runners on second and third with one out in the second but got consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.
—CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Bullis' social media accounts showed that the 40-year-old Georgia woman was an avid runner, posting photos of participating in recent races.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Witt was set to face Angels pitcher Sam Bachman with two runners aboard.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The left-hander had runners on second and third with one out in the second but got consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.
—CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Bullis' social media accounts showed that the 40-year-old Georgia woman was an avid runner, posting photos of participating in recent races.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runner
Noun
-
Police operations led to the arrest of 480 smugglers last year, the French Interior Ministry said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Police operations led to the arrest of 480 smugglers last year, the French Interior Minister said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Detectives located him by following the meandering path of laundry, sent to him by his wife, via multiple messengers.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
According to Plunge, cold-water immersion triggers norepinephrine, a chemical messenger that delivers a burst of energy while sharpening focus.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The scheme participants instruct victims to withdraw money to be kept safe by a courier who will arrive in person.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In the years that followed, Koh worked as a food delivery rider, a parcel courier, a bar worker and a livestreamer selling mobile accessories – experiences that fed directly into the third film’s portrait of a young man thrown unprepared into adult life.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Runner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runner. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
