runners

noun

plural of runner
1
as in smugglers
a person who imports or exports goods secretly and illegally a drug runner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in messengers
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 runners The league's average left on base percentage is around 75%, essentially, when baserunners reach against a pitcher, league average is that 75% of those runners won't score. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 And last week, Nike introduced two new shoes, the Swooshfly for entry-level marathon runners and the Apex super shoe. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026 The Dodgers have scored all seven of their runs in the NLDS off home runs and have gone 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position in the series. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Los Angeles stranded seven runners on base over the first five innings. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 Milwaukee led the majors in hits this season, but collected just seven in Game 1 while stranding nine runners. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Getting runners on base, moving them into scoring position and delivering big hits in key situations will be critical. — Brandon Liguori, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026 Lightly rub the runners on all sides with a bar of soap or paraffin wax. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026 Alvarez struck out with runners on the corners in his second at-bat, and struck out on three pitches in his third, this one against right-hander Gus Varland. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for runners
  1. smugglers
  2. messengers
  3. couriers
Noun
  • Still, despite the typical procedural formula with cases tied to gun smugglers, cartel assassins and kidnappings, the show remains topical enough to keep viewers engaged.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Florida has a colorful history as a haven for smugglers and scammers.
    — Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of smugglers
Noun
  • Denholm had requested their presence merely as observers—messengers who would convey the verdict back to Savoy Court.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • In much simpler terms, this nutrient-rich liquid contains growth factors, cytokines, and other proteins that act as messengers, sending signals involved in skin repair and renewal and supporting the production of collagen and elastin.
    — Emily Orofino, Allure, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of messengers
Noun
  • Founded by Hasan Abasi in the Arab-majority town of Umm al-Fahm in Israel, Haat now offers its services across 50 cities, working with more than 10,000 restaurants and markets, and employing more than 500 couriers.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
  • To restaurants, the offer is new customers, more orders, e-commerce tools, and delivery without the staff (though some apps offer to let restaurants use their own couriers).
    — Longreads, Longreads, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of couriers

Browse Nearby Words

runner
runners
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Cite this Entry

“Runners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/runners. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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