in the running

phrase

1

: competing in a contest

2

: having a chance to win a contest

Examples of in the running in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Comedy of Musical category for Daniel Swee, who is in the running with Becky Shaw, Giant and Proof. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

The Irish haven’t had the smoothest transition in the running game to the post-Jeremiyah Love era. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Kelce ran down the improvement in the running game and the importance of the return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

And if the latest reports are right, the biggest surprise may be that the next James Bond isn’t the biggest name in the running. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for in the running

• overrunning
• bunning
• cunning
• dunning
• gunning
• punning
• shunning
• stunning
• sunning