run down crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! Here you'll find all possible solutions and explanations for the crossword clue "run down". Whether you're stuck on a tricky puzzle or just need quick verification, we've got you covered with answers across various letter counts.
Solutions for "run down crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
SLUM: To live in conditions of squalor or poverty, or a poor, overcrowded area of a city. This can refer to a 'run down' neighborhood.
5 Letters
WEARY: Causing or feeling fatigue; tired. When someone is 'run down', they often feel weary.
DECAY: To rot or decompose through the action of bacteria and fungi; to decline in quality, health, or vigor. A building or person can 'run down' and decay.
FRAIL: Weak and delicate. Something 'run down' might be frail.
6 Letters
FEEBLE: Lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness; weak. Similar to 'run down' in health or energy.
7 Letters
EXHAUST: To use up all of (resources or energy); to make someone very tired. If you're 'run down', you might be exhausted.
ATROPHY: (of body tissue or an organ) Waste away, typically due to the degeneration of cells, or become vestigial during evolution. When something 'runs down' and loses its function.
8 Letters
COLLAPSE: (of a structure) Fall down or in; (of a person) fall down and become unconscious or very ill, typically through illness or injury. A direct outcome of something being 'run down'.
DEMOLISH: To pull or knock down (a building); to comprehensively defeat (an opponent). In a metaphorical sense, to 'run down' an opponent or argument.
ENFEEBLE: To make weak or feeble. When health or strength is 'run down'.
9 Letters
CRITICIZE: To indicate the faults of (someone or something) in a disapproving way. A common meaning of 'run down' is to harshly criticize or disparage.
10 Letters
DEBILITATE: To make (someone) weak and infirm. When a person's health is 'run down', they become debilitated.
DEPRECIATE: Diminish in value over a period of time; disparage or belittle (something). Property or value can 'run down' and depreciate. Also, to 'run down' someone's reputation.
DEGENERATE: To decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally. When something 'runs down' in quality or state.
11 Letters
DETERIORATE: To become progressively worse. This is a very direct synonym for something that is 'run down'.
More About "run down crossword clue"
The phrase "run down" is a versatile idiom with multiple meanings, which makes it a frequent yet challenging crossword clue. Its interpretations can range from the physical state of being exhausted or dilapidated to the act of criticizing or finding someone. Understanding these nuances is key to selecting the correct answer in your puzzle.
Common themes for "run down" clues often involve physical wear and tear, as in a 'run down' building or a 'run down' battery. It can also describe a person's health, indicating fatigue or illness. Less commonly, it refers to the process of rehearsing or reviewing something quickly, or even pursuing and locating someone.
When you encounter "run down" in a crossword, consider the letter count and intersecting words first. Then, think about the most common contexts: is it about a place, a person's health, or an action of speaking negatively about someone? This analytical approach will significantly narrow down the possibilities.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Multiple Meanings: "Run down" is a classic example of a clue with several possible interpretations. Always think beyond the first meaning that comes to mind.
- Check Intersecting Letters: The letters you've already filled in from other clues are your best friends. They will quickly eliminate incorrect answers and guide you to the right one.
- Look at the Clue's Context: Sometimes, the setter will give subtle hints through the tense of the verb, whether it's a noun or an adjective, or even through other clues in the puzzle that might relate to a specific theme.
- Use a Crossword Solver Strategically: If you're truly stuck, use a solver like Answercrossword.com, but try to understand *why* an answer fits. This helps you learn for future puzzles.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common meanings of 'run down' in crosswords?
In crosswords, 'run down' often refers to several concepts: to criticize (e.g., DECRY, CRITICIZE), to deplete or exhaust (e.g., EXHAUST, WEARY), to make something deteriorate (e.g., DECAY, DEBILITATE), or sometimes to describe something dilapidated (e.g., SLUM).
How can I distinguish between similar 'run down' answers?
Pay close attention to the number of letters required and any intersecting letters you already have. Also, consider the specific context of the puzzle, such as the theme or other clues that might hint at a particular meaning (e.g., medical for 'debilitate', urban for 'slum', conversational for 'criticize').
Are there synonyms for 'run down' that are frequently used in crosswords?
Yes, common synonyms that appear as answers include 'DEGRADE', 'ATROPHY', 'DECAY', 'ENFEEBLE', 'WEAR OUT', 'BELITTLE', and 'DECRY'. Always consider both the physical and metaphorical senses of 'run down'.