1
as in smuggler
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally
a drug runner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of runner
Though Kristaps Porzingis’emergence has helped alleviate the spacing crunch that has dogged the organization for years, nothing can replace the defense-bending gravity that is missing as Curry continues to rehab from runner’s knee.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Minnesota had a runner on first with Josh Bell at the plate going up against Ryan Helsley with one out.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The ball is caromed out to Richard Hamilton, who comes streaking in from the top of the key to put up a runner—no good!
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
Kenyan distance runner Albert Korir has admitted to doping, prompting officials on Monday to ban him for five years.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Minnesota had a runner on first with Josh Bell at the plate going up against Ryan Helsley with one out.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The ball is caromed out to Richard Hamilton, who comes streaking in from the top of the key to put up a runner—no good!
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
Kenyan distance runner Albert Korir has admitted to doping, prompting officials on Monday to ban him for five years.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runner
Noun
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The war has also brought the work of cross-border smugglers to a standstill.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Hole, Oleg and Martin Aminov (Simon J Berger), a petty gun smuggler mistakenly accused of being the serial killer, wind up in a stationary elevator stuck between two floors with an armed Waaler reaching in to grab Oleg’s hair.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Local Democratic leaders say the party needs neighborhood-level organizing and trusted messengers, not outside organizers, to mobilize these voters effectively.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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Trusted messengers are also flooding the airwaves and opinion pages to ensure the legislature does not replace mayoral control with a new system.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Johnson, 64, was a husband married for over 40 years and father of five children who ran his own courier company, CJS Express, his attorneys said.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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In Ohio and Indiana, people can order Powerball tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Runner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runner. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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