as in holding up
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in chatting
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
we were just running on about how neither of us has aged a bit after all these years
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in remaining
to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state
allow the savings account to run on for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in going on
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point
she's very sweet, but she does tend to run on
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of running on
Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Power plants running on natural gas have been forced to switch to oil with tightening natural gas supplies, further fueling the growing demand for heating oil, Herb said.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Grocery stores – known for running on slim profit margins – are adopting them late in part due to their high upfront cost, Semmann said.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The state government is running on red ink, with deficit estimates ranging from $3 billion (Newsom’s figure) to $18 billion (the legislative analyst’s).
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Jeremy Levin is also a political activist who has lobbied for Democratic candidates and progressive policies in the United States as well as in support of democracy in Israel, running on a slate in last year’s World Zionist Congress elections.
—Jacob Gurvis, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Four of those children, including Jonah Bevin, were adopted from Ethiopia in 2012, three years before Matt Bevin won the gubernatorial race in Kentucky, running on a platform that included overhauling the state's foster care system.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
The entire ecosystem is self-contained and independent of external input, running on the energy released when bacteria convert toxic hydrogen sulfide into sulfate.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
Female Candidates ⬆ Virginia’s Abigail Spanberger and New Jersey’s Mikie Sherrill win as moderate women running on competence, not identity.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Ofelia Maldonado Zapata — running on community and equity-focused themes.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Power plants running on natural gas have been forced to switch to oil with tightening natural gas supplies, further fueling the growing demand for heating oil, Herb said.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Grocery stores – known for running on slim profit margins – are adopting them late in part due to their high upfront cost, Semmann said.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The state government is running on red ink, with deficit estimates ranging from $3 billion (Newsom’s figure) to $18 billion (the legislative analyst’s).
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Jeremy Levin is also a political activist who has lobbied for Democratic candidates and progressive policies in the United States as well as in support of democracy in Israel, running on a slate in last year’s World Zionist Congress elections.
—Jacob Gurvis, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Four of those children, including Jonah Bevin, were adopted from Ethiopia in 2012, three years before Matt Bevin won the gubernatorial race in Kentucky, running on a platform that included overhauling the state's foster care system.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
The entire ecosystem is self-contained and independent of external input, running on the energy released when bacteria convert toxic hydrogen sulfide into sulfate.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
Female Candidates ⬆ Virginia’s Abigail Spanberger and New Jersey’s Mikie Sherrill win as moderate women running on competence, not identity.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running on
Verb
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Aniston opened up about the relationship while chatting to Elle back in November.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
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So far, he’s been spotted draped in a full-length, white fluffy coat and fire engine-red hat and gloves, watching the women’s downhill race, and casually chatting with onlookers at the curling mixed doubles, adorned in a zip-jacket emblazoned with Team USA players’ faces.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cuba does not appear to have any remaining allies willing to supply the hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of fuel needed to power the economy.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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Also, don’t be fooled by the Big 12’s midpoint remaining basically unchanged.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Davis Gates will be stepping away from her duties and going on a temporary medical leave, the union announced on Wednesday.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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In January 2025, fans thought Monfils had a shot at the Australian Open title after going on a three-win streak.—
Erica Marrison,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kato is talking with local schools about turning Mardi Gras bead-making into a community project.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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As kids get older, this transparency can cross over into talking honestly about social situations, financial decisions, or household values and responsibilities.—
Dina Gachman,
Parents,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On the winning side of Wall Street were companies that stand to benefit from big spending by Alphabet and others continuing the AI frenzy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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The car collided with the bicyclist before continuing another block and hitting the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market location in the Westwood neighborhood.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That’s when Amendola’s face, combined with some unhinged rambling, got the message across that something big just happened.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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What on Earth was Gabriel rambling on about before, anyway?—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Reading a book — yes, a real book with pages, gotten from a library or a store, not a Kindle; conversing, face-to-face, with a friend; taking a walk in a park or in the country?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
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All manner of inquiries might be required to tease out of the person what transpired while conversing with the AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The expropriations, along with the firings, consolidated state control of the oil sector and, experts say, drained the country of expertise and investment, inflicting lasting damage.—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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Gwen was 6 months old when mom Becky Segally had to bring her along during the 2015 refinery strike that ended up lasting 99 days, Becky Segally said.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Running on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20on. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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