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
In Season 12, Boyz II Men (as the Buffalo) won the Masked trophy, beating out Mario, as the Wasp, who was this season’s runner-up.
—
Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Wrexham finished as runners-up in League Two to clinch promotion for a second consecutive year.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Naturally, Raducanu’s level took a dip and the 2024 U.S Open runner-up seized the chance to let rip against a tiring opponent.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The model scored a higher case value over runner-up Alexis Lete during the final challenge, winning the final spot to play against the banker.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Wrexham finished as runners-up in League Two to clinch promotion for a second consecutive year.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Naturally, Raducanu’s level took a dip and the 2024 U.S Open runner-up seized the chance to let rip against a tiring opponent.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The model scored a higher case value over runner-up Alexis Lete during the final challenge, winning the final spot to play against the banker.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 26 Mar. 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 Apr. 2025.
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