variants
also chiefly dialectal run
1
as in trotted
to go at a pace faster than a walk
we ran all the way to the bus stop, but still missed the bus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retreated
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
rather than run from a black bear, it's better to hold your ground and make lots of noise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
5
as in flowed
to move in a stream
water running down the window
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in raced
to proceed or move quickly
run and get the nurse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
9
as in operated
to control the mechanical operation of
I know how to run that machine
Synonyms & Similar Words
10
as in became
to eventually have as a state or quality
the poor woman ran herself ragged trying to care for all those children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in melted
to go from a solid to a liquid state
her makeup started to run when she got in the pool
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in managed
to look after and make decisions about
learning to run the family business
Synonyms & Similar Words
13
as in triggered
to cause to function
in olden days mills were run by flowing water
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in cost
to have a price of
that sort of computer runs at least several hundred dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
15
as in traveled
to come or be together as friends
he's been running with a bad crowd lately
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
16
as in chased
to go after or on the track of
if that dog continues to run cars, he's going to get seriously hurt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ran
Two Heat starters also ran into foul trouble early on, as Michell and Wiggins were each called for two fouls within the first six minutes of the contest.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
The 2025-26 NBA season is in full swing, renewing the long-running debate over the league’s greatest player.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
But the momentum in the NFL's longest-running rivalry seems to be turning, with the Bears beating the Packers for the third time in the past five games.
—CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
In addition to Núñez’s account, The Bee reviewed dozens of other accounts opened for 2026 and 2030 races, and found that in many cases, these accounts belonged to former lawmakers who use them to hold and spend money raised during their time in office – not to run for the seat in question.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
At the time, David had been confirmed to be running errands with Evan, per surveillance video and was dismissed as a suspect.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Vazquez ran a business called Jadore Dream Bartending Services and 5 Star Securities Services.
—Chase Jordan
january 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
Prominent academies in the country are owned and run by individuals instead of clubs.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Dick’s Sporting Goods Shares of the sporting goods chain have plenty more room to run, according to Goldman.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ran
Verb
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After initially laying motionless on the field surrounded by medical staff, Toure eventually trotted off the field under his own power.—
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The pup, named Eba, appeared immune to being rushed and trotted behind at the farthest extent of her leash, tongue lolling, black eyes squinting in the afternoon sun.—
Verb
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Unsurprisngly, Meg White, who retreated from public life and hasn’t been heard from for over a decade, was a no-show.—
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People retreated in fear that more would come.—
Verb
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Then, in August 2014, her Modern Family costar Julie Bowen intervened and helped Hyland end her relationship, which, per Hyland's restraining order filing, allegedly led Prokop to threaten to kill her dog and burn down her house.—
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Park led a presentation Friday morning in the Council Chamber during the City Council’s first session of the new year following a three-week recess.—
Verb
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Republican leaders only need five additional votes to fund the government, and the group involved in the talks has ranged from 10 to 12 Democratic senators.—
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Republican leaders in the Senate only need five additional votes to fund the government, and the group involved in the talks has ranged from 10 to 12 Democratic senators.—
Verb
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His case illustrates how power in Venezuela has often flowed through opaque military and intelligence channels rather than formal political office.—
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The moment a user joined or viewed a meeting, the information flowed out.—
Verb
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Schyler Dethorne raced 68-yards for a TD and Belton tallied scoring runs of six and 52-yards, as Alvarado held a 28-3 lead after the opening quarter.—
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Much of CoreWeave’s utility has come from offering readily available compute as those companies raced to scale up their own operations.—
Verb
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Her version of Billie Jo leaned into the character’s ambition and flair for entertainment.—
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Epic has leaned into marquee European resorts and interconnected ski domains.—
Verb
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Muñoz-Guatemala then drove with the Taser hanging out of the car window, and was arrested about a mile away by local police officers.—
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The suspect drove around the area before surrendering to police in Atwater Village.—
Cite this Entry
“Ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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