as in holding up
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in chatting
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
we were just running on about how neither of us has aged a bit after all these years
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in remaining
to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state
allow the savings account to run on for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in going on
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point
she's very sweet, but she does tend to run on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of running on
Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The state government is running on red ink, with deficit estimates ranging from $3 billion (Newsom’s figure) to $18 billion (the legislative analyst’s).
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Jeremy Levin is also a political activist who has lobbied for Democratic candidates and progressive policies in the United States as well as in support of democracy in Israel, running on a slate in last year’s World Zionist Congress elections.
—Jacob Gurvis, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Four of those children, including Jonah Bevin, were adopted from Ethiopia in 2012, three years before Matt Bevin won the gubernatorial race in Kentucky, running on a platform that included overhauling the state's foster care system.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
The entire ecosystem is self-contained and independent of external input, running on the energy released when bacteria convert toxic hydrogen sulfide into sulfate.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
Female Candidates ⬆ Virginia’s Abigail Spanberger and New Jersey’s Mikie Sherrill win as moderate women running on competence, not identity.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
But the players were not the only ones running on empty after the contest.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Mamdani, who is a Democratic Socialist, is running on a make New York affordable platform, which includes a Free Rent Freeze that rifted in earlier polls, a generational difference between older and younger Black voters.
—Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Grocery stores – known for running on slim profit margins – are adopting them late in part due to their high upfront cost, Semmann said.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The state government is running on red ink, with deficit estimates ranging from $3 billion (Newsom’s figure) to $18 billion (the legislative analyst’s).
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Jeremy Levin is also a political activist who has lobbied for Democratic candidates and progressive policies in the United States as well as in support of democracy in Israel, running on a slate in last year’s World Zionist Congress elections.
—Jacob Gurvis, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Four of those children, including Jonah Bevin, were adopted from Ethiopia in 2012, three years before Matt Bevin won the gubernatorial race in Kentucky, running on a platform that included overhauling the state's foster care system.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
The entire ecosystem is self-contained and independent of external input, running on the energy released when bacteria convert toxic hydrogen sulfide into sulfate.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
Female Candidates ⬆ Virginia’s Abigail Spanberger and New Jersey’s Mikie Sherrill win as moderate women running on competence, not identity.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
But the players were not the only ones running on empty after the contest.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Mamdani, who is a Democratic Socialist, is running on a make New York affordable platform, which includes a Free Rent Freeze that rifted in earlier polls, a generational difference between older and younger Black voters.
—Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for running on
Verb
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In a video shared on X by a fan account, the 36-year-old is seen chatting with some pals while sipping a drink.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
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Walking the office floor to check who’s chatting doesn’t guarantee productivity, which is why dragging workers back to desks in the name of performance reflects an outdated view of how work actually happens in a digital economy.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Houston led by six points at the start the fourth period and scored the first seven points of the quarter to extend its lead to 85-72 with 10 ½ minutes remaining.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Jurors got their first glimpse into what will be a lengthy trial characterized by dueling narratives from the plaintiffs and the two remaining defendants.—
Barbara Ortutay,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Davis Gates will be stepping away from her duties and going on a temporary medical leave, the union announced on Wednesday.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In January 2025, fans thought Monfils had a shot at the Australian Open title after going on a three-win streak.—
Erica Marrison,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tenants speaking to the town council Monday said JRK initially directed them to use their renter’s insurance to pay for alternate lodging; the company later agreed to pay those expenses after talking with town officials.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
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Smith thinks taxpayers should spend more time talking to their tax preparers about next year’s taxes.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On the winning side of Wall Street were companies that stand to benefit from big spending by Alphabet and others continuing the AI frenzy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The car collided with the bicyclist before continuing another block and hitting the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market location in the Westwood neighborhood.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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What on Earth was Gabriel rambling on about before, anyway?—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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Roger Naylor shares 10 favorite Arizona destinations from his 50 years of rambling here.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Reading a book — yes, a real book with pages, gotten from a library or a store, not a Kindle; conversing, face-to-face, with a friend; taking a walk in a park or in the country?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
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All manner of inquiries might be required to tease out of the person what transpired while conversing with the AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Abdulsalam Haykal, Syria's minister of communications and information technology, said the nearly $1 billion telecommunications development will take place in two stages lasting between 18 months and two years.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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But turning this moment into lasting advantage will require careful planning, not just short-term opportunism.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Running on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/running%20on. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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