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
On a broken possession with the shot clock running down, Thornton caught the ball in the right corner with space to shoot.
—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Taking the form of a 420-pound plasticky egg, K5s have mainly made headlines through extraordinary mishaps like drowning in a fountain and running down a 16-month-old-toddler.
—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
24 June 2026
The visual accompaniment to the president’s promise of national enjoyment showed two multistory stone arcades running down the length of the Mall—very classical, very retvrn—thronged with crowds.
—
Christopher Hooks,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
The jacket featured long sleeves and a zipper running down the front placket, along with symmetrical breast pockets, a sharp collar and a button motif at the cuffs.
—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
22 June 2026
In addition to the colors, which will only be available on this series of Continentals, each car also features a Satin stripe running down the center of the vehicle and rides on a set of black 22-inch wheels with self-leveling badges.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
In left field, Taylor kept the Reds from going ahead by running down a fly ball near the line and throwing out a baserunner at home plate.
—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
For a young man who had scarcely left Utah in his youth, every corner seemed to be a revelation, of water buffalo shimmering from mud baths and children running down dirt roads.
—
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Fulani braids usually have a central braid or twist running down the middle of the head, with additional cornrows braided towards the sides.
—
Omenaa Boakye,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Taking the form of a 420-pound plasticky egg, K5s have mainly made headlines through extraordinary mishaps like drowning in a fountain and running down a 16-month-old-toddler.
—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
24 June 2026
The visual accompaniment to the president’s promise of national enjoyment showed two multistory stone arcades running down the length of the Mall—very classical, very retvrn—thronged with crowds.
—
Christopher Hooks,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
The jacket featured long sleeves and a zipper running down the front placket, along with symmetrical breast pockets, a sharp collar and a button motif at the cuffs.
—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
22 June 2026
In addition to the colors, which will only be available on this series of Continentals, each car also features a Satin stripe running down the center of the vehicle and rides on a set of black 22-inch wheels with self-leveling badges.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
In left field, Taylor kept the Reds from going ahead by running down a fly ball near the line and throwing out a baserunner at home plate.
—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
For a young man who had scarcely left Utah in his youth, every corner seemed to be a revelation, of water buffalo shimmering from mud baths and children running down dirt roads.
—
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Fulani braids usually have a central braid or twist running down the middle of the head, with additional cornrows braided towards the sides.
—
Omenaa Boakye,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running down
Verb
-
But the recent action on Anthropic, as well as asking OpenAI to limit its own newest model, comes after experts have fretted for months that Mythos could pose a security risk by giving hackers and other bad actors access to AI capable of finding and exploiting vulnerabilities exceptionally quickly.
-
Good luck finding more than a few sad options hidden in a back corner at your local salon.
Verb
-
Integration Calling genomics the most powerful data asset in biopharma does not mean dismissing other data types.
-
For now, Comcast is dismissing M&A talk, but there also is the matter of timing.
Verb
-
Websites like AirHelp can assist you in learning what you’re entitled to based on your itinerary, and in claiming the compensation you’re owed.
-
This revival finds new power in the intimate story of a family learning to love again set against one of the most consequential moments of the twentieth century, as the Nazi regime rises to power and authoritarianism encroaches on daily life.
Verb
-
Its quick-release, tool-free battery system enables operators to swap batteries within seconds, minimizing downtime during industrial inspections, security patrols, and disaster response operations.
-
Scott Barnes, Jennifer Lopez’s longtime makeup artist, considers the ingredients of this Korean sunscreen a plus for minimizing the look of pores, while delivering other benefits to aging skin.
Verb
-
Sacramento County Health Inspectors closed four Sacramento-area eateries after discovering health food violations including dozens of German and American cockroaches in facilities, and restaurants unable to maintain proper holding temperatures of potentially hazardous foods.
-
Inspired by LePage’s own experiences and drawing from the world of her graphic novels, the short follows a young woman searching for confidence in all the wrong places before discovering that true strength comes from within.
Verb
-
Politicos everywhere are talking down Johnson’s chances.
-
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.
Verb
-
Search-and-rescue experts often describe the first 72 to 96 hours after a major earthquake as the most critical window for locating survivors beneath collapsed structures.
-
That said, some users report frustrations, especially around locating certain features, dealing with occasional bugs, or getting stuck in a login‑verification loop.
Verb
-
While professionals still seek performance upgrades, consumers increasingly view MacBooks as durable household appliances, diminishing the traditional annual upgrade cycle.
-
While Doral, Sweetwater, Tamiami and other areas near the fires did not see evacuations, officials warned air quality was diminishing due to the smoke, which could have caused health issues for some residents.
Cite this Entry
“Running down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20down. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
