run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp How to pronounce run-up (audio)
Synonyms of run-upnext
1
: the act of running up something
2
: a usually sudden increase in volume or price
3
: a period immediately preceding an action or event

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

1
: bid up
2
: to stitch together quickly
3
: to erect hastily
4
: to achieve by accumulating
ran up a big lead

Examples of run-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
That doesn’t mean the potential for a massive run-up in prices is gone. — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Buying downside protection here allows long holders to lock in a substantial portion of the recent run-up while risking less than 1% of total position value. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 29 July 2026
Verb
Breathlessly Eva, 41, runs up and down the dusty stairs in a bright yellow raincoat, exposing the real estate investor’s schemes, rallying her neighbors, fighting with her husband, wondering what went wrong. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026 Nigeria ran up their goal tally against Egypt in the second half. — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for run-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of run-up was in the 14th century

Rhymes for run-up

See All Rhymes for run-up

Browse Nearby Words

runty
run-up
run up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Run-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-up. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

run up

verb
: to cause to pile up : accumulate
ran up a big telephone bill

More from Merriam-Webster on run-up

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for run-up

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