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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
That's when authorities said the homeowner allegedly pointed a gun at the worker, sending him running for his life.
—
Erika Stanish, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
At a balloon release in November 2024 honoring his memory, family members described Williams, who ran his own carpet-cleaning business, as a hardworking, kind, gentle man devoted to his family and faith.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
Rabell said Hernandez’s mother, who lived at the property and ran it with her boyfriend, brought her before at least one ALF owner who was looking for a new resident.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Soon Grace will be running the show again.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The case ran cold for several decades as authorities continued to investigate.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Gutierrez is involved in the Aurora community, running a business called Chicano Times and putting on community events.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
These concepts run alongside a traditional broadcast of a game, with a different set of hosts holding forth, usually in less formal circumstances.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
In short, the transubstantiation of Bettina’s long-running project into the digital realm might have helped her unlock a vision of the noumenal behind the phenomenal.
—Katherine Rochester, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026
Erika Stanish, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
At a balloon release in November 2024 honoring his memory, family members described Williams, who ran his own carpet-cleaning business, as a hardworking, kind, gentle man devoted to his family and faith.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
Rabell said Hernandez’s mother, who lived at the property and ran it with her boyfriend, brought her before at least one ALF owner who was looking for a new resident.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Soon Grace will be running the show again.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
The case ran cold for several decades as authorities continued to investigate.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Gutierrez is involved in the Aurora community, running a business called Chicano Times and putting on community events.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
These concepts run alongside a traditional broadcast of a game, with a different set of hosts holding forth, usually in less formal circumstances.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
In short, the transubstantiation of Bettina’s long-running project into the digital realm might have helped her unlock a vision of the noumenal behind the phenomenal.
—Katherine Rochester, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ran
Verb
-
Chelly the German Shepherd trotted into the clearing and stood at attention, ears alert and straining on her leash.—
Liz Teitz,
San Antonio Express-News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Harper slowly trotted around the bases and took time at third to salute coach Dino Ebel.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But as senators retreated to privately discuss the new plan, action stalled out.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Oil prices have retreated, but there are no signs of a broader relief rally this morning.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The museum’s director, Pierre-Olivier Costa, met me in the entry hall and led me through the galleries housing Mucem’s permanent exhibition of items from its collection of folk arts and popular traditions.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Playing on the second night of a back-to-back after winning at Memphis on Monday night, the Suns (42-34) were led by two-time All-NBA guard Devin Booker, who scored a game-high 34 points.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
So far this year, weekend crowds at Marine Street have ranged from about 500 to 700 people.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Before the outbreak of its latest war with Israel in 2023, estimates of Hezbollah's military strength ranged from 30,000 to more than 50,000 personnel.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway through which around 20% of the world's crude oil supply flowed until the war — closed to any ships not explicitly granted permission by Tehran, warning of a severe response for any violators.—
Ramy Inocencio,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Some $469 million has flowed into the ETF just since Jan 1.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Alabama raced out to a 24-point halftime lead en route to a 90-65 win over Texas Tech in the second round.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
China's cyberspace regulator has raced to regulate the rapidly growing field in recent years, but struggled to stay ahead of a technology that is advancing faster than the rules designed to govern it.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The special leaned into the nostalgia.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Tradition, however, would be an improper adjective to describe the festivities ahead of the Giants’ 7-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday at Oracle Park, which served as Opening Night for all of Major League Baseball as Netflix leaned all the way into the pregame theatrics.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nico Hoerner, batting leadoff for the first time this season, was 3-for-5 with two doubles while Matt Shaw had two hits and drove in two runs for the Cubs (3-3).—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After tracking down the address, Sanchez and her daughter drove to the 3-bedroom house on Eureka Drive and extracted Cesar.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ran. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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