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
New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
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
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
The concept unit has been running on 100% renewable fuel supplied by Repsol, taking a bite out of carbon footprint from the get-go.
—New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
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
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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Whisking past the press with the confident air of an actor who doesn’t need to do a stint on the mini mic anymore, Taylor could be found inside the Royal Festival Hall chatting to co-star Chase Infiniti and Hollywood legend Glenn Close, who came straight from the Erdem anniversary show.—
Alice Newbold,
Vogue,
22 Feb. 2026
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After an awkward silence, Hader offered to talk to Nick when he was done chatting with his friends.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mazzulla emptied his bench with four minutes remaining, sending in rookie John Tonje for his NBA debut and veteran Dalano Banton for his first minutes as a Celtic this season.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
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Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a deep pot over high heat.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The show continued filming without him before going on a pre-planned hiatus in November, and the creative team wrote Billy out of subsequent episodes rather than recasting the character.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
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Khalil, who was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria before going on to graduate from Columbia, had played a prominent role negotiating on behalf of pro-Palestinian protesters at the university.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If Schoen is talking money but doesn’t have the final call on contracts, how will that impact which players the Giants ultimately both pursue and sign?—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Lisa Rinna's lips were made for talking.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last year, the restaurant changed concepts to Amelies — named after Wang’s wife — continuing to offer seafood boils in tandem with new dishes.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
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Kosloske performed chest compressions for about seven minutes until police took over, continuing until EMTs arrived.—
Alexandra Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition to the lake, there are 26 miles of trails for rambling at Hot Springs National Park as well as a number of hiking paths leading into and out of downtown.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
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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
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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Meanwhile, best leading actress nominees Emma Stone (Bugonia) and Renate Rensve (Sentimental Value) relied on bold cutouts to make a lasting impression.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
22 Feb. 2026
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This rich yet silky balm delivers up to 24 hours of hydration, instantly quenching dry, chapped lips and locking in moisture for lasting softness.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Running on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20on. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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