Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

run up against

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.24 in modern English

Syllables: run up a-gainst
IPA

15

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To begin to encounter problems with (someone or something).

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"The latest model has run up against the limits of its technical capacity."

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

runs up against (present, singular) running up against (participle, present) ran up against (past)

Questions

What does run up against mean?: To begin to encounter problems with (someone or something).

How to pronounce run up against

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “run up against”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “run up against”.
Repeat and practice — Say “run up against” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.