runners

noun

plural of runner
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

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 Today, the old Maroon Creek Bridge is used by pedestrians, cyclists, runners and others traveling through the area. — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 With two runners in scoring position, Keaton Winn replaced Sam Hentges and did well to reduce the damage to a sacrifice fly. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Jared Young grounded into a force-out to put runners at the corners, but Francisco Alvarez popped out in foul territory, and Marcus Semien grounded into a force-out. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 In the first inning, KC had two runners aboard but Starling Marte struck out to end the scoring chance. — Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026 Reliever Cade Gibson inherited two runners and walked Gonzalez, then hit Mangum with the bases loaded. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 With runners on the corners and two outs, Braden Montgomery hit a high chopper back to the mound. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Tyson Gay upsets the defending world and Olympic champion Usain Bolt in a race between the two fastest runners in history. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Every January, the event and race management company Start 2 Finish gives local runners an actual Run Club Passport. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runners
  1. smugglers
  2. messengers
  3. couriers
Noun
  • Wong haunts the stories of the Floridian smugglers, connected to many of the feuds and undercover operations.
    — Rory Doherty, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The new docuseries, ‘Monsters of God’, explores the underworld of reptile trafficking—one filled with exotic creatures, smugglers, drugs, weapons, special agents, and zoo connections.
    — ForbesTV, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of smugglers
Noun
  • Many occur naturally in the body and act as chemical messengers, influencing metabolism, inflammation, reproduction and other physiological processes.
    — Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The ancient route was first traveled by hunter-gatherers, before being used by Indigenous traders, Inca messengers, Spanish colonists, and railway workers, among others.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026
Definition of messengers
Noun
  • According to Maria Palladini, former special agent for the Fish and Wildlife Service, Molt had a habit of taking couriers and dealers under his wing only to betray them.
    — Rory Doherty, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
  • According to Liu, the logistics provider had signed contracts with about 120 schools in China to retrain its army of couriers for new work such as repairing and maintaining robots.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
Definition of couriers

Browse Nearby Words

runner
runners
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Cite this Entry

“Runners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runners. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on runners

Nglish: Translation of runners for Spanish Speakers

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