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
In our test, the Kindred Bravely was a successful runner-up as best nursing and pumping bra.
—
Maya Polton, Parents, 16 May 2024
Mercedes won its group, for herding dogs, against 32 other breeds, USA TODAY reported, in addition to its runner-up finish in the overall competition.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2024
Fort Worth Southwest Christian (26-12-1) were state champs in 2003, 2002, 1999 and 1994, and runner-up in 2021.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2024
The decision to cast Vassos ends months of speculation that Nist or Golden Bachelor runner-up and fan favorite Leslie Fhima, a 65-year-old fitness instructor from Golden Valley, Minn., could topline Golden Bachelorette.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2024
Stephanie Skinner, the New York titleholder who was the first runner-up in the 2023 Miss Teen USA competition, shared a statement Sunday explaining her choice amid the controversy surrounding Srivastava and Miss USA Noelia Voigt's resignations.
—Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 14 May 2024
The film, which is based on a true story, also took the runner-up best film Lola in silver.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
Beets got eliminated alongside Seal (Corey Feldman) on the May 1 episode of the singing competition and unmasked as American Idol season 2 winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
The folk singer beat runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson — who was revealed as her new boyfriend, prior to the finale — and Gabby Barrett in third place.
—Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 1 May 2024
Maya Polton, Parents, 16 May 2024
Mercedes won its group, for herding dogs, against 32 other breeds, USA TODAY reported, in addition to its runner-up finish in the overall competition.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2024
Fort Worth Southwest Christian (26-12-1) were state champs in 2003, 2002, 1999 and 1994, and runner-up in 2021.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2024
The decision to cast Vassos ends months of speculation that Nist or Golden Bachelor runner-up and fan favorite Leslie Fhima, a 65-year-old fitness instructor from Golden Valley, Minn., could topline Golden Bachelorette.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2024
Stephanie Skinner, the New York titleholder who was the first runner-up in the 2023 Miss Teen USA competition, shared a statement Sunday explaining her choice amid the controversy surrounding Srivastava and Miss USA Noelia Voigt's resignations.
—Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 14 May 2024
The film, which is based on a true story, also took the runner-up best film Lola in silver.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
Beets got eliminated alongside Seal (Corey Feldman) on the May 1 episode of the singing competition and unmasked as American Idol season 2 winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
The folk singer beat runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson — who was revealed as her new boyfriend, prior to the finale — and Gabby Barrett in third place.
—Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 1 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'runner-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 20 May. 2024.
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