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View synonyms for run-down

run-down

[ ruhn-doun ]

adjective

  1. fatigued; weary; exhausted.
  2. in a state of poor health:

    He was in a run-down condition from months of overwork.

  3. in neglected condition; fallen into disrepair:

    a run-down house.

    Synonyms: shabby, tacky, seedy

  4. (of a spring-operated device) not running because it is unwound.


run down

verb

  1. to cause or allow (an engine, battery, etc) to lose power gradually and cease to function or (of an engine, battery, etc) to do this
  2. to decline or reduce in number or size

    the firm ran down its sales force

  3. tr, usually passive to tire, sap the strength of, or exhaust

    he was thoroughly run down and needed a holiday

  4. tr to criticize adversely; denigrate; decry
  5. tr to hit and knock to the ground with a moving vehicle
  6. nautical
    1. tr to collide with and cause to sink
    2. intr, preposition to navigate so as to move parallel to (a coast)
  7. tr to pursue and find or capture

    to run down a fugitive

  8. tr to read swiftly or perfunctorily

    he ran down their list of complaints

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. tired; exhausted
  2. worn-out, shabby, or dilapidated
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a brief review, résumé, or summary
  2. the process of a motor or mechanism coming gradually to a standstill after the source of power is removed
  3. a reduction in number or size
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of run-down1

First recorded in 1675–85; adj. use of verb phrase run down
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Example Sentences

The heat makes beads of sweat run down your armpits and traverse your hips before dampening your drawers.

He blamed the Ukrainians for letting it get run down, and he cut the round-trip air fare from Moscow almost in half.

His first shows were in Asbury Park, at a small run down Convention Hall that appeared destined for the wrecking ball.

Let's put people back to work rebuilding vacant homes in run-down neighborhoods.

Having run down her charges, I don't even feel the need to go through all of Pletka's absurd rebuttals to Hagel defenders.

Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?

In 1864 the railway was in a very bad condition, wretchedly run down, and woefully mismanaged.

If you see us come down this way again, honey,” Amy said, “run down here to the shore and we will take you aboard.

That place is less than a hundred miles from Chicago and we can just run down there today and back this evening!

Let them hasten and take up a lamentation for us: let our eyes shed tears, and our eyelids run down with waters.

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