1
as in smuggler
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally
a drug runner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runner
Nursery starts or bare-root plants typically begin fruiting two to three months after planting, while plants grown from runners or seeds may take until their second year.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
Inside, a group of a dozen waitstaff, a handful of bartenders and food runners convene for a final pep talk before the doors open.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 2026
Ganjehei immediately put the industrious studio runners on the job of turning the soundstage into Bieber’s private court.
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 5 Jan. 2026
Kristen was also an ultramarathon runner and someone who found joy and purpose in caring for animals.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
Inside, a group of a dozen waitstaff, a handful of bartenders and food runners convene for a final pep talk before the doors open.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 2026
Ganjehei immediately put the industrious studio runners on the job of turning the soundstage into Bieber’s private court.
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 5 Jan. 2026
Kristen was also an ultramarathon runner and someone who found joy and purpose in caring for animals.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runner
Noun
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So can those who set prices; deal with Mexican cartel suppliers; launder money; establish drug houses; and pay smugglers, intermediaries and others.—
Kevin Krause,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
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Yes, arrest the murderers, drug lords and gang members, thieves and smugglers.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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When the oily messenger arrives at the hotel, Lucy is confused and devastated.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
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By releasing messenger molecules called neurotransmitters that open and close ion channels, neurons can nudge their neighbors’ membrane potentials up or down.—
Elise Cutts,
Quanta Magazine,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Winning lottery numbers are sponsored byJackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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At the center is Bryan (Austin Abrams), an ordinary medical courier whose routine delivery job turns into a nightmare when he gets caught in the epidemic.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Runner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runner. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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