Thesaurus results for RUNNER

runner

noun

ˈrə-nər

Definition of runner

as in smuggler

a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally a drug runner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of runner For rock climbers, there’s Shawangunk Ridge; for hikers there’s Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park; and for the trail runner there’s the 22-mile Wallkill Valley Rail Trail just beyond the hotel’s back door. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026 The night before, Teoscar Hernández had zeroed in on the Dodgers’ at-bats with runners in scoring position in his postgame comments. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 The Dodgers went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The Dodgers went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position during Sunday night's 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for runner

Recent Examples of Synonyms for runner

Noun

There’s also former cop Sam Stelfreeze (Michael Chernus) in the mix, and among others the slimy ralien smuggler Vanzine Kaluta (Kathryn Hunter).

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
Such go-fast boats were designed for offshore racing but were later commandeered by drug smugglers in South Florida during the 1980s.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of smuggler

Noun

Trump has been, perhaps, the most discordant messenger of the administration when discussing Iran.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Before they’re introduced at the meeting, Lowen and Jeremy have what amounts to a gruesome meet-cute on the street, when a bike messenger gets mowed down by a car in front of them and Jeremy lends Lowen his shirt because she’s covered in blood.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of messenger

Noun

In the 1990s, Nigerian rings often trafficked drugs from Southeast Asia to Chicago via couriers, according to the Justice Department.

— Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Detectives seized the home’s surveillance system, which showed a man named Jiajia Fan assigning customers to the women, collecting payment and turning over the money to a courier, Pinner wrote.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of courier

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runnels

runner

runners

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Style

“Runner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runner. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of runner

noun

Example Sentences

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