1
as in smugglers
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally
a drug runner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in messengers
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 runners
With runners on the corners and two outs, Bichette lined a single to right, and Carson Benge scored easily.
—
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
In the third, the Cubs had runners at second and third with one out.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 31 Mar. 2026
Bryce Harper was 0 for 5 for Philadelphia and stranded six runners on base.
—CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Kelly Drive - Popular with runners along the Schuylkill River, Kelly Drive in Philadelphia is also a popular spot to view cherry blossoms in the city.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
The three runners whose chances of victory were ruined — Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat — are now invited to compete at the 2026 World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in September.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
Milwaukee wasted a chance to break the tie in the eighth as Garrett Cleavinger (1-1) struck out Gary Sánchez to strand runners on first and second.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Research shows many runners already under-consume carbs, with amateurs—who often lack sports‑nutrition guidance—being especially prone to inadequate intake.
—Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Victims speak out Facing the judge, one of the victims said Lawshea’s track program, a place where some of the best runners in South Florida trained, became her home away from home.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
In the third, the Cubs had runners at second and third with one out.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 31 Mar. 2026
Bryce Harper was 0 for 5 for Philadelphia and stranded six runners on base.
—CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Kelly Drive - Popular with runners along the Schuylkill River, Kelly Drive in Philadelphia is also a popular spot to view cherry blossoms in the city.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
The three runners whose chances of victory were ruined — Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat — are now invited to compete at the 2026 World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in September.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
Milwaukee wasted a chance to break the tie in the eighth as Garrett Cleavinger (1-1) struck out Gary Sánchez to strand runners on first and second.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Research shows many runners already under-consume carbs, with amateurs—who often lack sports‑nutrition guidance—being especially prone to inadequate intake.
—Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Victims speak out Facing the judge, one of the victims said Lawshea’s track program, a place where some of the best runners in South Florida trained, became her home away from home.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runners
Noun
-
Two smugglers were later sentenced to decades in prison for that incident.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Sure, there were fewer bands, but Keenan worked the phones for weeks tracking down as many of the sailors and smugglers from that era as possible.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Supports Brain Function and Mood Vitamin B6 helps the body produce neurotransmitters—chemical messengers that carry signals between nerve cells.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Crockett began to cultivate a national profile with a prime-time speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and has since become one of her party’s most popular messengers, using an often brash communication style to manufacture viral moments.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The bill would require couriers in charge of the cash exports to disclose additional information about the beneficiaries of the outbound cash, reporting any money heading to countries of concern, including state sponsors of terrorism and destinations identified as high-risk by the State Department.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Within just 48 hours, two autonomous couriers from different companies veered off course and collided with shelters shattering glass and alarming nearby residents.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Runners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runners. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
