: one that is below or after the best
: in second place
Examples of second-best in a Sentence
Noun
He won't settle for second best.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The up-and-coming team also boasts the second-best record in the NFC behind the Detroit Lions.
—Vincent Frank, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 23 June 2024
His 81 touchdowns rank second best in AFL history behind Don Maynard, and his 8,015 yards receiving were third behind only Maynard and Hall of Famer Lance Alworth.
—Josh Dubow, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2023
Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2023
When the year wrapped, Red was the second best-selling LP of 2012 with 3.11 million, following Adele's 21.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 18 June 2021
See all Example Sentences for second-best 
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Adjective
Washington has the second-best offense in the NFL, according to DVOA, with the second-best passing offense as well.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The up-and-coming team also boasts the second-best record in the NFC behind the Detroit Lions.
—Vincent Frank, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Evelyn had a horror then of Sinden asking her to dance out of sheer obligation, taking second best.
—Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 23 June 2024
His 81 touchdowns rank second best in AFL history behind Don Maynard, and his 8,015 yards receiving were third behind only Maynard and Hall of Famer Lance Alworth.
—Josh Dubow, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2023
Adverb
Among the challenges for the second best-selling female artist of all time?
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2023
When the year wrapped, Red was the second best-selling LP of 2012 with 3.11 million, following Adele's 21.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 18 June 2021
See all Example Sentences for second-best
Dictionary Entries Near second-best
Cite this Entry
“Second-best.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-best. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
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