Thesaurus results for RUNNERS

runners

noun

plural of runner

as in smugglers

a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally a drug runner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Fulham’s centre-backs are far apart, and players who have had to run 60 yards back towards their own goal are unsurprisingly letting runners go. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The flexible plates of long distance runners, meanwhile, help curb foot fatigue and are frequently paired with stress-absorbing cushioning. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 Relay for America's 227-mile journey will consist of runners from all over the country taking turns carrying the two flags from start to finish. — Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Stowers got a chance to face a lefty (Nate Lavender) with runners on second and third and one out in the seventh but struck out. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026 Griffin then bounced a pickoff throw to second base)into the outfield, allowing both runners to advance. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026 The Dodgers, who were one for 18 with runners in scoring position Wednesday, could’ve used a big hit from their future Hall of Famer. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for runners

Noun

This surveillance can help smugglers identify areas with fewer personnel when moving people or drugs.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
Ortiz navigated their way among Russian escapees, Polish fugitives, and tobacco smugglers, all wanting to get to neutral Spain over the mountains.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of smugglers

Noun

War Secretary Pete Hegseth has become one of the administration’s most active political messengers.

— James A. Downs, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026
Researchers who are sincere, relatable and genuinely care are effective messengers for communicating uncertain or evolving information.

— Aleeza Gerstein, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of messengers

Noun

But even larger quantities went unseized as agents in Albuquerque stood by and watched as drug couriers entered hotels with backpacks believed to be carrying as many as 100,000 fentanyl pills.

— Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
And like the milkman, good-looking couriers delivering the coveted cooling relief became a source of jealousy for insecure husbands.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of couriers

Browse Nearby Words

runner

runners

running

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Runners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runners. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of runners

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shofar

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes