as in trotting
to go at a pace faster than a walk
the child scampered off to play
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Recent Examples of scampering
High jinks ensue, including a hilarious scene in the Big Game with a scampering dog and a chariot chase.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Since his debut on the national scene as a tot scampering through in the White House — a symbol of the Kennedy administration’s youthful energy — he’d been relentlessly documented.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
Arguably the state’s top dual-threat, the senior QB was a catalyst for the Knights all season long, registering 1,761 passing yards and 25 touchdowns while scampering for 974 yards on the ground to go with 14 more touchdowns.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Maye knocked out the Broncos by scampering all alone to his left on a third-down naked bootleg, Josh McDaniels’ best play-call on a day of bad weather and good defense.
—Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
In the second half, there was a carbon copy of the same move, when Leno again aimed straight down the middle of the pitch to Wilson, with substitute Jorrel Hato scampering back to avoid further embarrassment.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
In comparison, trackways offer a direct snapshot of an ancient moment in time — in this case, when scores of scampering theropods crisscrossed a shoreline.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Three plays later, Balko called his own number yet again, scampering into the end zone from 24 yards out and putting Eastlake ahead 21-17.
—Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025
The man who appeared to attack Lang was seen scampering back across Michigan Avenue after hitting him.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 19 Nov. 2025
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Since his debut on the national scene as a tot scampering through in the White House — a symbol of the Kennedy administration’s youthful energy — he’d been relentlessly documented.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
Arguably the state’s top dual-threat, the senior QB was a catalyst for the Knights all season long, registering 1,761 passing yards and 25 touchdowns while scampering for 974 yards on the ground to go with 14 more touchdowns.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Maye knocked out the Broncos by scampering all alone to his left on a third-down naked bootleg, Josh McDaniels’ best play-call on a day of bad weather and good defense.
—Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
In the second half, there was a carbon copy of the same move, when Leno again aimed straight down the middle of the pitch to Wilson, with substitute Jorrel Hato scampering back to avoid further embarrassment.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
In comparison, trackways offer a direct snapshot of an ancient moment in time — in this case, when scores of scampering theropods crisscrossed a shoreline.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Three plays later, Balko called his own number yet again, scampering into the end zone from 24 yards out and putting Eastlake ahead 21-17.
—Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025
The man who appeared to attack Lang was seen scampering back across Michigan Avenue after hitting him.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 19 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scampering
Verb
-
Once again, the dog of my dreams is trotting along beside me, and nagging thoughts about the miraculous nature of unexpected blessings keep me up at night.—
Margaret Moorman,
New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The intuitive Moon is trotting into your sign, empowering your ability to get in touch with your soul and stay that way.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Urban Glide 3 feels less like a specialty jogging stroller and more like a do-it-all rig built to handle adventure with little ones.—
Erica Zazo,
Outside,
20 Feb. 2026
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Flagg did not participate in Thursday’s practice at the University of Minnesota and spent most of the open 15-minute period jogging and sprinting under the instruction of Geoff Puls, the Mavericks’ head strength and performance coach.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After a poor clearance by Miami, Stephen Eustáquio stole the ball and quickly passed to Son, who saw David Martínez running and sent a deep pass for him.—
Jad El Reda
Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Several rallies have taken place at universities in the Iranian capital, Tehran, for the second day running.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Meza Gonzalez and David Christian, one of her attorneys, refused to answer questions from reporters about the plea agreement, hurrying down a flight of stairs at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center.—
Megan Rodriguez,
San Antonio Express-News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scampering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scampering. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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