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 decision fell to the House of Representatives, where a string of backroom machinations made John Quincy Adams president and distant runner-up Henry Clay the Secretary of State.
—
Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
The new cut debuts in the runner-up rung on both the Official Singles Sales and Official Singles Downloads charts.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Chappelle is currently tied with George Carlin and Richard Pryor as runner-up in the category.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
The Big Brother mothership, meanwhile, just wrapped its 26th season on Oct. 13, with Chelsie Baham winning unanimously over runner-up Makensy Manbeck.
—Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for runner-up 
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Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
The new cut debuts in the runner-up rung on both the Official Singles Sales and Official Singles Downloads charts.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Chappelle is currently tied with George Carlin and Richard Pryor as runner-up in the category.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
The Big Brother mothership, meanwhile, just wrapped its 26th season on Oct. 13, with Chelsie Baham winning unanimously over runner-up Makensy Manbeck.
—Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for runner-up
Dictionary Entries Near runner-up
Cite this Entry
“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
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