Synonyms for race

noun

1. A physical division of humankind

   species, stock, variety, type, kind, strain, breed, family, color; see also man 1.

   The general divisions of the human race are: Caucasoid, Caucasian, white, Negroid, black, Mongoloid, yellow.

2. Roughly, people united by blood or custom

   nationality, culture, cultural group, ethnic group, caste, variety, type, a people, humankind, mankind, tribe, sect, group, ethnic stock, human race, class, population connected by common descent, kind, nation, folk, gene pool, pedigree, lineage, community, inhabitants, population, populace, clan, breeding population; see also culture 2, heredity, society 2.

3. A contest, usually of speed

   competition, run, dash, sprint, relay, marathon, clash, meet, event, engagement, competitive trial of speed, scurry, spurt, clip, pursuit, rush, footrace, horse race, dog race, automobile race, road race, road rally, drag race, motocross, steeplechase, handicap, round pace, chase, match, heat, lap, concours (French), derby, regatta, sweepstakes, turf, track, speedfest*; see also sport 3.

   Famous races include --- automobile: Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, World Grand Prix, New Zealand Grand Prix, Australian Grand Prix, Sebring 12-Hour Endurance Race, Pan Formula Two Grand Prix, Targa Florio Road Race, Grand Prix of Monaco, Monte Carlo Rally, Nürburgring Sports Car Race, Grand Prix of Belgium, Le Mans 24-Hour Race, Grand Prix of France, European Grand Prix, Dutch Grand Prix, Grand Prix of Italy, British Grand Prix, German Grand Prix, United States Road Racing Championship; horse: Kentucky Derby, Grand National, Derby, Belmont Stakes, Aqueduct Stakes, Preakness Stakes, Breeders' Cup, Hambletonian (harness), Man O'War Stakes, San Juan Capistrano Handicap, American Derby, Arlington Classic; yacht: America's Cup, Admiral's Cup, Bacardi Cup Sailing Championship, St. Petersburg-Fort Lauderdale Race, Lipton Cup Race, Newport-Bermuda Yacht Race, One Ton Cup; bicycle: Tour de France, World Road Race Championship, Tour d'Italie, New York Six-Day, Tour of Marin, Montreal Six-Day, U.S. National Championships, Tour de St. Laurent, Tour de Mexico; marathons: Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, London Marathon.

4. Famous racetracks include: horse: Epsom Downs, Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, Pimlico Track, Hialeah Park, Aintree, Saratoga, Leopardstown, Longchamp Racecourse, Gavea, Ascot, Siena; automobile: Sebring, Monza, Le Mans, Indianapolis, Bonneville, Brands Hatch, Silverstone.

verb

1. To move at great speed

   speed, hurry, run, pursue, chase, tear, tear around, bustle, spurt, press on, dash, run swiftly, hasten, trip, fly, flit, hustle, hie, scud, scorch, rush, sprint, swoop, scuttle, scurry, dart, scamper, hurtle, plunge ahead, whiz, zoom, bolt, scramble, whisk, shoot, post, skim, bowl along, ride hard, hotfoot it*, high-tail it*, make tracks*, barrel*, run like mad*, crowd sail*, wing one's way*, outstrip the wind*, burn up the road*, gun the motor*, step on it*, get the lead out*, skedaddle*, scoot*.

2. To compete

   run a race, compete in a race, contend, follow a course, engage in a contest of speed, enter a competition, run, sprint, race-walk, gallop.