Definition

Noun: 1. A substantial increase over a relatively short period of time: A "runup" refers to a rapid and significant rise in the value, level, or amount of something, typically in financial, economic, or numerical contexts.

Usage

The word "runup" is primarily used to describe a sharp upward trend or surge that happens quickly. It often implies the increase is notable and may be temporary or lead to a subsequent adjustment.

Examples

• There was a significant runup in gasoline prices before the holiday weekend.
• Analysts are concerned about the rapid runup in housing prices.
• The stock experienced a dramatic runup following the positive earnings report.

Advanced Usage

• "In the runup to (an event)": This common phrase refers to the period of time immediately before an important event, often characterized by increasing activity, preparation, or tension.
  • In the runup to the election, political advertising intensified.
  • Security was tightened in the runup to the royal wedding.

Variants and Related Words

• Run-up: This is a common hyphenated variant spelling of the noun "runup." Both forms are acceptable.
• Run up (verb phrase): As a phrasal verb, "to run up" means to accumulate or increase something, often a debt or a score.
  • He ran up a large bill at the hotel. (This is the verb form, not the noun "runup").

Synonyms

• Surge
• Upswing
• Increase
• Rise
• Climb
• Rally (specific to financial markets)

Antonyms

• Decline
• Drop
• Fall
• Correction (often used specifically after a runup)
• Downturn

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Precede a correction: This is not an idiom but a common observation in finance, where a "runup" in market prices is often followed by a "correction" (a decline of 10% or more).
  • The market runup was followed by a sharp correction.

Noun

1. a substantial increase over a relatively short period of time
   • a runup in interest rates
   • market runups are followed by corrections