1
as in finding
to come upon after searching, study, or effort
finally ran down the answer after hours of research
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismissing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
constantly running down the city's cultural life won't do anything to improve it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of running down
Tuesday’s game ended with defensive replacement Will Benson, acquired in exchange for Hajjar ahead of the 2023 season, running down a long drive by San Francisco’s Daniel Susac to secure the victory.
—
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Less than 10 minutes later, that same fan is running down the street with others, shrieking and holding up their photos and signed papers in triumph.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
Instantly the turkey was up again and running down a shallow ditch.
—Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026
The Bruins held the ball with the clock running down, and Leger-Walker dribbled it to around the top of the three-point line and stopped.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
The phone hit Green near his ear, with blood quickly running down his neck following the impact.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
What the picture didn’t document were the tears running down Marilyn’s cheeks.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Its winter operation, which offers the stark visual of a sled running down an ice- and snow-covered track surrounded by a subarctic landscape, has captured international attention.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
There’s always a bead of sweat running down his forehead.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Less than 10 minutes later, that same fan is running down the street with others, shrieking and holding up their photos and signed papers in triumph.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
Instantly the turkey was up again and running down a shallow ditch.
—Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026
The Bruins held the ball with the clock running down, and Leger-Walker dribbled it to around the top of the three-point line and stopped.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
The phone hit Green near his ear, with blood quickly running down his neck following the impact.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
What the picture didn’t document were the tears running down Marilyn’s cheeks.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Its winter operation, which offers the stark visual of a sled running down an ice- and snow-covered track surrounded by a subarctic landscape, has captured international attention.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
There’s always a bead of sweat running down his forehead.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running down
Verb
-
The whole thing was a sign that the college is still finding its footing.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Throughout the renovation, approximately 90% of furniture, mattresses, lighting and artwork from previous guestrooms were resold and diverted from landfills, finding new homes across the United States.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In October, Superior Court Judge Judy Bae granted LCLJ’s motion, dismissing the city’s lawsuit and allowing LAFCO to move to the next steps in the process.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
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But dismissing it as fusty would be an unfortunate act of self-deprivation.—
Rachel Howard,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Robert enjoys learning fun facts about different creatures and can talk about them with excitement and curiosity.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Lemont’s Gabriela Kuruc grew up learning the game of soccer through some tough, competitive family games with her older cousins.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By identifying risks early, the care team at Saddleback Medical Center creates personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs, thereby minimizing complications and maximizing positive outcomes.—
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
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The higher threshold has prompted a shift in focus from minimizing federal estate taxes to lowering taxes on income and capital gains.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There can be a lot of joy in discovering who your partner is becoming and falling in love with that person, too.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
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Councilmembers Kathleen Treseder and Mai raised concerns about the briefings after discovering last month that Agran was briefed first on the budget issue, and as part of that conversation, asked the city manager to research polling on possible local taxes.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Politicos everywhere are talking down Johnson’s chances.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
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During his remarks, Beshear accused Vance, whose memoir explores issues such as poverty and the lack of opportunity in Appalachia and the Rust Belt, of talking down to the people of Kentucky.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Murray can breathe a sigh of relief that Nickeil Alexander-Walker left Minnesota for greener pastures in free agency last summer, diminishing the Wolves’ on-ball defensive firepower.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
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Opposition parties warn that basing constituencies on population could shift political power toward faster-growing northern states, while diminishing the parliamentary representation, seat share and overall influence of southern regions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Inside the Chicago city limits, that toll-free number will connect you to the city’s utility locating program.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
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Spotting a fungus or an insect is more challenging than locating a weed, and the company needs some technical improvements to be able to automatically eliminate those problems in the field.—
Tyler Jett,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Running down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20down. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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