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
The last player to win The Players Championship the week after finishing runner-up on the PGA Tour was Jack Nicklaus in 1978.
—
Justin Ray, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
While D'Andre Swift was solid last season, drafting Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty with the No. 10 pick in the draft would be a huge upgrade and cap off a stellar offseason with a bang.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Will Moseley, a 23-year-old musician from Hazelhurst, Georgia, and Jack Blocker, a 25-year-old graphic designer from Dallas, Texas, were the runners-up.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Yes, the Hawkeyes have been runner-ups the last two years in a row.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Justin Ray, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
While D'Andre Swift was solid last season, drafting Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty with the No. 10 pick in the draft would be a huge upgrade and cap off a stellar offseason with a bang.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Will Moseley, a 23-year-old musician from Hazelhurst, Georgia, and Jack Blocker, a 25-year-old graphic designer from Dallas, Texas, were the runners-up.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Yes, the Hawkeyes have been runner-ups the last two years in a row.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 14 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 19 Mar. 2025.
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