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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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