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
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 down
Oh, perfect naked cherubs running down the trail through the trees!
—
Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
The look consisted of a long-sleeve, silky dress shirt with a sharp collar and subtle buttons running down the front placket of the garment.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
His lips are big pillows, the top one a bit larger with a thick line running down its middle.
—Touré, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
On that snap to Herbert, the play-clock was running down, Bonitto recalled.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Chairman David Moores came in with tears running down his cheeks.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
He could be seen excitedly running down the Philly sideline while gesturing to his groin.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
No play this season showed more leadership than McAlister running down field and making key blocks for Kevorian Barnes on his 75-yard touchdown against the Tar Heels.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
After securing the ball, Mukuba took off running down the sideline.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
The look consisted of a long-sleeve, silky dress shirt with a sharp collar and subtle buttons running down the front placket of the garment.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
His lips are big pillows, the top one a bit larger with a thick line running down its middle.
—Touré, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
On that snap to Herbert, the play-clock was running down, Bonitto recalled.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Chairman David Moores came in with tears running down his cheeks.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
He could be seen excitedly running down the Philly sideline while gesturing to his groin.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
No play this season showed more leadership than McAlister running down field and making key blocks for Kevorian Barnes on his 75-yard touchdown against the Tar Heels.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
After securing the ball, Mukuba took off running down the sideline.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running down
Verb
-
Partner can double with hearts, thus finding an eight-card fit whenever possible.—
Deb Harvell,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
-
So many of McAnally’s song ideas have been mined from his knack for finding stories in everyday life.—
Nancy Kruh,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But dismissing the rise in antisemitism as mere policing of speech about Israel is disingenuous and dangerous.—
Dafna Michaelson Jenet,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Less than four months later, though, a California judge stopped her in her tracks, dismissing her entire complaint on a technicality.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the end, Krantz added, adopting a more strategic approach ultimately benefits customers, allowing companies to use their time and money more effectively by learning from the successes of others.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Link’s flight simulators supercharging our pilot training with adaptive decision-making under pressure; medical residents refining teamwork and communication in simulated trauma bays; managers learning leadership through live project crises with shifting constraints and incomplete information.—
Joe Boylan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Sustainable gardening is an environmentally friendly approach that protects the earth and its inhabitants by mimicking natural ecosystems, minimizing waste and conserving resources.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Health inspectors cited the soul food restaurant after discovering that the kitchen handwashing sink was blocked with multiple plastic buckets in the sink basin.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Levy was cast by Mark Bennett, arguably best known for discovering Amy Adams via 2005’s Junebug.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Worldfor never talking down to me or being too afraid to address the hard things in life.—
Anna Earl,
Parents,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Boys Go to Jupiter captures an adolescent malaise without talking down to its teens — there is no preaching about real jobs, responsibilities, or five-year plans.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, the invading trees and shrubs also compete with prairie plants for light, water, and space, often pushing the grassland plants out of the way and diminishing the habitat options available to animals that depend on native plants.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Survey participants said reasons for the diminishing access included affordability, fears about not being taken seriously or the potential for involuntary hospitalization, the survey said.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Wichita Police Department is now asking for the community’s help in identifying and locating the female and anybody that recognizes her or might have any information about her identity or whereabouts should reach out to the Wichita Police Department immediately.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The data revealed canines have an 11 percent higher chance of being found than their feline counterparts, highlighting the different challenges in locating and recovering missing pets.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Running down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20down. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share