also-ran
noun
al·so-ran
ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran 
ˈȯ-
1
: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
2
: a contestant that does not win
3
: one that is of little importance especially competitively
was just an also-ran in the scramble for … privileges—
C. A. Buss
C. A. BussExamples of also-ran in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 49ers are coming to grips with being an also-ran.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
But the progress stalled and McLaren began last season at the back of the field, before a car upgrade in the middle of 2023 turned them from also-rans into title contenders.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Firstly, the choicest specimens get snatched up early, leaving only the straggly also-rans.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
Andrew Luck, the most significant recruit during the Jim Harbaugh era at Stanford, a quarterback who led the Cardinal from also-rans to national prominence, is returning to The Farm as the football team’s general manager.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024
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Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
But the progress stalled and McLaren began last season at the back of the field, before a car upgrade in the middle of 2023 turned them from also-rans into title contenders.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Firstly, the choicest specimens get snatched up early, leaving only the straggly also-rans.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
Andrew Luck, the most significant recruit during the Jim Harbaugh era at Stanford, a quarterback who led the Cardinal from also-rans to national prominence, is returning to The Farm as the football team’s general manager.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for also-ran
Dictionary Entries Near also-ran
Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/also-ran. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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