running 1 of 4

adjective

Definition of runningnext
1
as in operating
being in effective operation the car has been running for almost an entire day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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2
as in continuous
going on and on without any interruptions a running struggle just to make ends meet

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

running

2 of 4

noun

ˈrə-niŋ How to pronounce running (audio)
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something left the running of the corporation to his subordinates

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running

3 of 4

adverb

as in successively
in succession without others coming in between he won the championship five times running

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

running

4 of 4

verb

present participle of run
1
as in jogging
to go at a pace faster than a walk we ran all the way to the bus stop, but still missed the bus

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2
as in flying
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening rather than run from a black bear, it's better to hold your ground and make lots of noise

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3
as in leading
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the road runs along the river for a while

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4
as in ranging
to occur within a continuous range of variation the electric bill runs between 30 and 50 dollars a month

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5
as in flowing
to move in a stream water running down the window

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in racing
to proceed or move quickly run and get the nurse

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7
as in tending
to show a liking or proneness (for something) unfortunately, members of his family run to fatness

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8
as in driving
to urge, push, or force onward they ran the horses hard in order to get to the ranch quickly

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9
as in using
to control the mechanical operation of I know how to run that machine

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10
as in becoming
to eventually have as a state or quality the poor woman ran herself ragged trying to care for all those children

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11
as in melting
to go from a solid to a liquid state her makeup started to run when she got in the pool

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12
as in managing
to look after and make decisions about learning to run the family business

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13
as in activating
to cause to function in olden days mills were run by flowing water

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14
as in costing
to have a price of that sort of computer runs at least several hundred dollars

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15
as in traveling
to come or be together as friends he's been running with a bad crowd lately

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16
as in chasing
to go after or on the track of if that dog continues to run cars, he's going to get seriously hurt

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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 running
Adjective
The running game in Kansas City is a lot better than people are giving it credit for. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 And Langley’s hit has broken numerous chart records including becoming the longest running Number One song in Billboard Hot 100 history. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
Was Jay preparing to slide his name into the running after rave reviews for stadium shows celebrating the anniversaries of Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint? — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026 The Taylors have been staples in Indy since the running back was drafted by the team in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
The Democratic nominee against Knott hopes for an upset in a year when even Republican members in safe seats like the 13th District are running scared. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Amenities and experiences The hotel is very much integrated into the neighborhood, with its three restaurants on street level and open to the public, and the High Line running just through—though never touching—the building. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for running
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running
  1. operating
  2. continuous
  3. management
  4. successively
  5. jogging
  6. flying
  7. leading
  8. ranging
Adjective
  • The Georgia park was closed on Tuesday for a pre-scheduled non-operating day, officials said.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • That sits on the books of the league’s 32 Equity investment arm, and 1/32 of any gains or losses in the entity flow through the Packers’ non-operating income.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of operating
Adjective
  • The researchers envision a continuous separation system in which lithium-rich solutions pass through membranes that preferentially transport lithium ions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, Netanyahu’s governing style has stifled robust debate on national security questions and lined up Israel’s defense leadership behind the prime minister’s own uncompromising worldview that favors continuous reliance on military force.
    — Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of continuous
Noun
  • These private, elevated spaces so intrinsic to the character of the property will remain closed to the public while management seeks a practical solution.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Savannah River National Laboratory conducts research involving nuclear materials, environmental management, energy technologies, and national security.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of management
Adverb
  • Their concentrations then increase at successively higher trophic levels (levels of the food chain) as organisms consume contaminated prey.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Samsung has successively shaved a few millimeters off every year, taking a leap last year with the Z Fold 7.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of successively
Verb
  • Within seconds of the performance ending, the players were jogging back onto the floor.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • As the storm approached Puerto Vallarta, National Guard vehicles patrolled the streets while police used a megaphone to call out the few people who were jogging, walking their dogs or biking by the waterfront.
    — Fernando Llano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of jogging
Verb
  • Reporting from Tel Aviv Shlomit Ofir is one of the many Israelis flying in from abroad to cast their votes in today’s election.
    — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The Air Force puts the missile’s range at approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers), allowing aircraft to launch it from a considerable distance rather than flying directly over hostile territory.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of flying
Verb
  • By halftime, the fourth-year pro who entered the game leading the NFL in receptions and yards stood at six catches, 129 yards and a touchdown.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Booker scored 19 points in the first half, leading the Suns to a 57-54 halftime lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of leading
Verb
  • Under the current plan, the building would include 696 rental apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units; three levels of amenities, including two swimming pools; 7,400 square feet of commercial space; and 696 parking spaces.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Novo Nordisk, which makes Wegovy and Ozempic, advertises list prices ranging from $149 per month to $399 per month, depending on the dose.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of ranging

Phrases Containing running

Browse Nearby Words

runners
running
running across
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Cite this Entry

“Running.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on running

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about running

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