runner-up
noun
run·ner-up
ˈrə-nər-ˌəp 
ˌrə-nər-ˈəp
plural runners-up
ˈrə-nərz-ˌəp
ˌrə-nərz-ˈəp
also runner-ups
: the competitor that does not win first place in a contest
especially
: one that finishes in second place
Examples of runner-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Third-year coach Dan Fitzgerald’s KU team finished as runner-up to West Virginia during the Big 12 regular season and lost in the semifinals of the conference’s postseason tournament.
—
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025
The Razorbacks lost Games 2 and 3 at the 2022 NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional to eventual national runner-up Texas.
—Ethan Westerman, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
Torrey Pines, which finished runner-up to CCA in the Open Division, and Canyon Crest have dominated the San Diego Section in recent years.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
Now, anyone can claim a spot in the top four, even a runner-up or third-place team.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025
The Razorbacks lost Games 2 and 3 at the 2022 NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional to eventual national runner-up Texas.
—Ethan Westerman, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
Torrey Pines, which finished runner-up to CCA in the Open Division, and Canyon Crest have dominated the San Diego Section in recent years.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
Now, anyone can claim a spot in the top four, even a runner-up or third-place team.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
Cite this Entry
“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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