1
as in smuggler
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally
a drug runner
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2
as in messenger
one that carries a message or does an errand
sent a runner to tell them that all was ready for the feast
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runner
Replay assist was used in 2024 to pick up flags thrown for roughing the passer (contact with head/neck), unnecessary roughness (runner out of bounds), intentional grounding and ineligible player downfield.
—
Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Though rookie Ladd McConkey put together 1,149 yards as a dependable route runner with loads of yards after the catch talent, the team still needs a field stretcher.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
McCaffrey is a better scrimmage runner than Samuel, a better receiver.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
Lorey intervened at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, California, in the fall, when a national controversy erupted over a transgender athlete who took a varsity spot from a girls' cross-country runner.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner
Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Though rookie Ladd McConkey put together 1,149 yards as a dependable route runner with loads of yards after the catch talent, the team still needs a field stretcher.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
McCaffrey is a better scrimmage runner than Samuel, a better receiver.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
Lorey intervened at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, California, in the fall, when a national controversy erupted over a transgender athlete who took a varsity spot from a girls' cross-country runner.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runner
Noun
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In addition to Hackman's win, the iconic action film — which follows New York City detectives' pursuit of a French drug smuggler — won a total of five Oscars that night, including Best Picture and Best Director for William Friedken.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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The Little Maria controversy did no favors for human-rights activists, either, whom the government liked to paint as feckless—or even as smugglers masquerading as do-gooders.—
Lauren Markham,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Here’s today’s: The Royal Messengers A royal messenger leaves the castle at dawn, riding his horse at a steady speed of 8 miles per hour.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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Malkovich comes in and out of the trailer with the same cryptic messenger vibe that has characterized so many of Nathaniel's comic book appearances.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Ritchson plays a high-end courier racing against time to deliver a life-saving organ, with Wilson as a medical professional caught in the crossfire.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
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These dogs are so smart that some of them have found work in places like tracking, courier work, and sniffing.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Runner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runner. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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