runner-up

noun

run·​ner-up ˈrə-nər-ˌəp How to pronounce runner-up (audio)
ˌrə-nər-ˈəp
plural runners-up ˈrə-nərz-ˌəp How to pronounce runner-up (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While neither Po nor winner Miles Mitchell, 21, saw Chalamet amid the chaos, he was spotted by the actual runner-up of the day, Zander Dueve. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024 And while Ohtani also made the terms of his contract with the Dodgers available to the runners-up to sign him last winter (the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants), the Dodgers are getting singled out by critics for taking advantage of salary deferrals. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024 Linkin Park’s latest is new to the runner-up space on two tallies, and they’re often considered the most important of the bunch for albums. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024 Last year’s Super Bowl runner-up the San Francisco 49ers will make the trip to Buffalo for Week 13’s edition of Sunday Night Football, but the elements may pose as much difficulty as the opposing team. Sam Joseph, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for runner-up 

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of runner-up was in 1859

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 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

runner-up

noun
run·​ner-up
ˈrən-ə-ˌrəp
plural runners-up
: the competitor in a contest who finishes next to the winner

More from Merriam-Webster on runner-up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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