run - thesaurus entry

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90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

verb

1
to move quickly to a place using your legs and feet
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To run: run, run, runner, running, dash, bound, jog, pound... more
1. a.
  to run in a race
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To run: run, run, runner, running, dash, bound, jog, pound... more
2. b.
  to have a race in a particular place or at a particular time
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  Races and racing: ahead, baton, the blocks, clock, come, come in, dash, dead heat, drop back, false start... more
3. c.
  to run a particular distance
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To run: run, run, runner, running, dash, bound, jog, pound... more
2
to control and organize something such as a business, organization, or event
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To be in charge: control, govern, watch over, command, supervise, look after, manage, lead, head, run... more
1. a.
  to organize and provide something such as a service or class
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To make plans or arrangements: plan, arrange, organize, draw up, map out, think ahead, fix, finalize, orchestrate, dream up... more
3
if a machine or engine runs, or if you run it, it is working
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To make a machine or piece of equipment work: activate, actuate, coax, control, crank, eject, energize, engage, flash, flick... more
1. a.
  to start or to use a computer program
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To use or program a computer: access, archive, author, back up, block, browse, burn, burn in, call up, capture... more
4
if a liquid runs somewhere, it flows there
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
What liquids can do: break, burst, cast up, catch, channel, come in, course, crest, dash, deepen... more
1. a.
  if a river runs somewhere, it flows there
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  What liquids can do: break, burst, cast up, catch, channel, come in, course, crest, dash, deepen... more
2. b.
  if a faucet runs, or if you run it, water comes out of it
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  What liquids can do: break, burst, cast up, catch, channel, come in, course, crest, dash, deepen... more
3. c.
  if something is running with a liquid, the liquid is flowing down it
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  What liquids can do: break, burst, cast up, catch, channel, come in, course, crest, dash, deepen... more
4. d.
  to fill a bath or other container with water from a faucet
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To fill a thing or place with liquid or air: inflate, pump up, blow up, flood, swamp, run, charge, top off, inflation... more
5
to try to be elected to an official job or position
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To be a candidate or winner in an election: campaign, canvass, run, stand, get in, hold, take, represent, stand for, sweep to/from power... more
6
if a bus, train, etc. runs, it travels somewhere at regular times
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Booking on and travelling by transport: aboard, afloat, aisle seat, arr., board, book on, bookable, booking, booking office, bus... more
1. a.
  informal to take someone somewhere in your car
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To go somewhere with someone or something: come, drive, walk, deliver, conduct, bring, escort, haul off, shepherd, lead... more
2. b.
  if a vehicle runs somewhere, it moves there because the driver is not controlling it properly
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction: head, go, progress, carry on, flow, walk on, move, pass, press, forge ahead... more
7
if a play, movie, or television program runs, it continues to be performed or shown
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To broadcast or be broadcast on television or radio: broadcast, report, screen, come on, transmit, televise, run, break, show, beam... more
1. a.
  if an official agreement or document runs until a particular time, you can continue to use it until that date
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To continue for a particular amount of time: last, extend, go back, last out, span, stretch, run, go, clock in at... more
8
to reach a particular amount or rate
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To reach a particular amount, point, or state: reach, come, come to, fulfill, run, push, overtake, attain, touch, enter... more
9
to move or rub something along something else
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To rub and rubbing: rub, knead, scratch, buff, rasp, chafe, grind, run, abrade... more
10
if something such as a road or wall runs somewhere, it exists in that place
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To be in a particular position or place: occupy, set, exist, lie, sit, stand, there is/are etc., concentrate, belong, get... more
11
to put something such as a wire or thread somewhere
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
General words meaning to put something somewhere: put, place, position, set, lay, balance, pile, settle, set out, put down... more
12
if a feeling runs through you, you experience it
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
What feelings and emotions do: color, come over, sweep over, grip, heighten, engulf, pulse, surge, grow, run... more
1. a.
  to have a particular thought
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To have a thought or thoughts: occur to, flash, dawn, think, strike, run, go through, occupy, enter your mind/head, cross someone’s mind... more
13
if newspapers run an article, advertisement, or photograph, they print it
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To publish something, or to be published: publish, print, go to press, report, carry, break, put out, run, serialize, splash... more
14
if a piece of clothing or a color runs, the color spreads when you wash it
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To become a different color: blacken, bleach, bleed, brighten, change, deepen, fade, gray, lighten, mellow... more
1. a.
  if something such as paint or ink runs, it spreads to where it should not be
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To spread over an area: spread out, disperse, fan out, sprawl, distribute, pervade, spill over, run, diffuse, permeate... more
2. b.
  if something such as butter runs, it becomes liquid and spreads because it is warm
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To change consistency: atomize, bake, boil, boil away, boil over, boil up, break down, bubble, clear, cloud... more
15
to bring someone or something illegally into a country
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To commit a specific crime: abduct, abet, blackmail, bootleg, case, commission, commit, counterfeit, defraud, extort... more
16
to grow in a particular direction
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
What plants can do: bear, bloom, blossom, bud, choke, climb, come out, come up, die back, fade... more
17
to move smoothly
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To move, or to move something, slowly: crawl, dawdle, creep, meander, drop back, ease, drift, fall behind, trail... more
18
if a story, argument, etc. runs in a particular way, this is what happens or what someone says
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To happen in a particular way: play out, go, go off, pan out, pass off, run, fall into place... more
19
if tights or pantyhose run, a hole in them becomes longer
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
What clothing and cloth can do: bag, breathe, bunch, fall down, fit, flow, hang, hug, pucker, ride up... more

phrases

come running
1. 1
  to do exactly as someone tells you in a way that makes you look weak
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To obey a law or rule, or to accept someone's authority: obey, observe, comply, respect, abide by, adhere to, follow, conform, keep to, recognize... more
2. 2
  to ask someone for help or sympathy, especially in a way that is annoying
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To ask someone for help: turn to, run to, beg, look to, enlist, reach out to, recruit, call in a favor, come running, approach... more
run and do something
spoken
used for telling someone, especially a child, to do something quickly
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Words used by or to young children: bang, big, birdie, boo-boo, bow-wow, bow-wow, bunny, choo-choo, cold, cross... more
run checks/tests on
1. 1
  to examine someone or something in order to get information, for example to find out what something is or whether there is a problem
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To study, check or examine something: study, check, examine, go over, check over, scrutinize, review, monitor, inspect... more
2. 2
  to find out information about someone in order to be certain that they have not done anything illegal
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To try to find out information: investigate, look into, follow up, gather, dig, research, check up on, look up, delve, scout... more
run circles around someone
to do something much better than someone else
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To do something well or better than someone else: excel, distinguish yourself, smash a record, shine, trump, cap, make history, upstage, perform, nail... more
run dry
1. 1
  if a river runs dry, there is no water left in it
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  What liquids can do: break, burst, cast up, catch, channel, come in, course, crest, dash, deepen... more
2. 2
  if a supply of something such as money runs dry, there is no more of it left
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To come to an end: come to an end, pass, run out, dry up, expire, give out, close, terminate, draw to a close/an end... more
run your eyes over something
to look at or read something very quickly
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To look at someone or something quickly: glance, dart, peep, peek, flick, throw, give someone/something the once-over, sneak a look/glance etc. at, steal a glance/look, take one look at... more
run for it
spoken
to run very quickly in order to escape from someone or something
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To escape from a place or situation: escape, get away, break away, flee, break for, break out, throw off, bolt, make a break (for something), make off with... more
run for your life
to run because you are in danger
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To run: run, run, runner, running, dash, bound, jog, pound... more
run someone’s life
informal
to keep telling someone what they should do in a way that is annoying
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To tell people what to do: order, order around, tell, command, dictate, instruct, boss around, push around, require, tax with... more
run like hell
informal
to run as fast as you can
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To run: run, run, runner, running, dash, bound, jog, pound... more
run a mile
British informal
to try to avoid a situation or a person because you are embarrassed or frightened
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To avoid risks or danger: escape, retreat, skate over/around, miss, provide against, take evasive action, have a narrow/lucky escape, play it safe, evade, hedge... more
run someone off the road
to drive in a way that forces someone else’s car to drive off the road
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Vehicle accidents and breakdowns: accident, aquaplane, bang up, blindside, blowout, break down, breakdown, broadside, car crash, collision... more
run out of gas/steam
to become too tired to continue with something
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To be, or to become tired: tire, flag, droop, feel/be slow, do for, run out of/lose steam, run out of gas, run out of gas/steam, weary... more
run a (red) light
informal
to continue driving even though a traffic light is red and you should stop
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Road and traffic signals and crossings: circus, cone, cross, crossing, crossroads, crosswalk, filter, grade crossing, green light, jaywalking... more
run riot
1. 1
  to behave in a noisy and uncontrolled way
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  To behave in an uncontrolled way: go to extremes, rampage, overdo, go mad, overreach, overcompensate, max out, cross a boundary/line, hop, overstretch... more
2. 2
  if your imagination runs riot, you have a lot of strange or exciting thoughts
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  Imagination and imagining: imagination, creativity, imaginings, originality, a vivid imagination, imaginative, creative, thinkable, visionary, run riot... more
3. 3
  if a plant runs riot, it grows in an uncontrolled way
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
  What plants can do: bear, bloom, blossom, bud, choke, climb, come out, come up, die back, fade... more
run a risk
to do something that may have a bad result
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To take risks: risk, dare, jeopardize, chance, gamble, hazard, throw/cast caution to the wind(s), run the risk (of something), live dangerously... more
run a temperature/fever
to be very hot because you are sick
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To have or develop an illness or symptom: suffer, get, contract, come down with, develop, catch, have, afflict, go down with, invade... more
run to fat
to begin to get fat because you are doing less exercise
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Gaining and losing weight: fat camp, fatten up, fill out, lose, plump out, put on, slim down, stay off, sweat off, trim down... more
run wild
to behave in an uncontrolled way
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To behave in an uncontrolled way: go to extremes, rampage, overdo, go mad, overreach, overcompensate, max out, cross a boundary/line, hop, overstretch... more
run with it
to take control of something such as a plan or a problem and add your own ideas in order to make it successful
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To take charge, or to try to take charge: take charge (of), see to, handle, take over, hijack, assume, arrogate, move in on, take the lead, run with it... more
running late
doing things or arriving in places later than planned
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Late or too late: late, belatedly, overdue, behind, past, at the last moment/minute, not a moment too soon, be out of time, running late, last-minute... more
running low
if something is running low, or if you are running low on something, there is not much of it left
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Words used to describe small amounts and quantities: little, few, slight, scant, minimum, mere, sparse, barely, only... more
running scared
informal
worried because you know that your opponent is very good or strong
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Afraid and frightened: afraid, frightened, scared, alarmed, fearful, startled, intimidated, panic-stricken, petrified, (with) your heart in your mouth... more
something runs in the/someone’s family
if something such as a quality or disease runs in someone’s family, a lot of people in the family have it
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Inheritance, inheriting and heritage: beneficiary, bequeath, bequest, birthright, claimant, come down to, come into, come to, cut off, be descended from... more
try to run before you can walk
mainly British
to try to achieve something very difficult immediately, without first doing more basic things
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To try hard to do or get something: try, work, strive, attempt, try for, struggle, go after, strain, push for, press for... more
up and running
starting to work correctly
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
Useful and effective and working correctly: useful, efficient, effective, valuable, helpful, operative, worthwhile, high-powered, practical, functional... more
something will run and run
used for saying that you think something will continue for a long time
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*
To continue for a long time: endure, run on, linger, drag on, grind on, come down, run over, see out, stand the test of time, take forever... more

These are synonyms and/or related words for run in the American English Thesaurus. View synonyms and/or related words for run in the British English Thesaurus.

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a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

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a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

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run - thesaurus entry

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*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

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*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

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*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

phrases

come running

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run and do something

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run checks/tests on

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run circles around someone

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run dry

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run your eyes over something

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run for it

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run for your life

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run someone’s life

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run like hell

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run a mile

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run someone off the road

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run out of gas/steam

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run a (red) light

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run riot

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run a risk

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run a temperature/fever

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

run to fat

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run*

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

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American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of run

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