1
as in smugglers
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally
a drug runner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of runners
Junis put two runners on base with no outs before getting back-to-back batters to fly out to the outfield before Higashioka took a dribbler and rocketed a throw to first, with an excellent extension from Jake Burger, for the game’s final out.
—
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
The Twins had two runners on base in three of the first four innings before finally breaking through against Skubal in the fifth.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
For the walkers, runners and families who count on DeForest Park’s trails as part of their daily routines, the discovery raises pressing questions about what lies in the dense brush bordering their paths — and whether the park’s 50 acres receive the oversight that regular visitors deserve.
—Ryan Brennan
april 7, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Another standout is the aforementioned Nike Sabrina 3 runners, which Curry donned in two consecutive games this past January.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2026
Locked in a 5-5 tie with two runners on in the top of the eighth inning, Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell lined a shallow liner to left field.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Benintendi followed with the infield hit to third, giving the Sox runners on the corners with two outs.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The score remained the same until the eighth inning, when Mendoza turned to pinch-hitter Jared Young with runners at the corners and one out.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 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
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
The Twins had two runners on base in three of the first four innings before finally breaking through against Skubal in the fifth.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
For the walkers, runners and families who count on DeForest Park’s trails as part of their daily routines, the discovery raises pressing questions about what lies in the dense brush bordering their paths — and whether the park’s 50 acres receive the oversight that regular visitors deserve.
—Ryan Brennan
april 7, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Another standout is the aforementioned Nike Sabrina 3 runners, which Curry donned in two consecutive games this past January.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2026
Locked in a 5-5 tie with two runners on in the top of the eighth inning, Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell lined a shallow liner to left field.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Benintendi followed with the infield hit to third, giving the Sox runners on the corners with two outs.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The score remained the same until the eighth inning, when Mendoza turned to pinch-hitter Jared Young with runners at the corners and one out.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runners
Noun
-
Now families are cut off from loved ones, and traders — even smugglers — hesitate to cross.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Two smugglers were later sentenced to decades in prison for that incident.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Or the price of Pony Express messengers with the price of sending an email?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Local Democratic leaders say the party needs neighborhood-level organizing and trusted messengers, not outside organizers, to mobilize these voters effectively.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sam An, a pharmacist at a compounding pharmacy until 2021, told me that his workplace employed about twenty people—pharmacists, technicians, cashiers, couriers—in what resembled a chemistry laboratory.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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In many systems, couriers can indicate when a parcel does not fit and request or trigger the opening of a larger locker.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Runners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runners. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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