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 Bulldogs were the runner-up in the national championship games of 2017 and 2021.
—
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
Lake Mary was the 2A runner-up.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Jace Reed scored 19 points, Lucas Sterling had 10 points and both Nolan Embry and Jaxon Sallade added nine points for Cedar Park, which was the District 25-5A runner-up.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The Owls fell the following round to runner-up Western.
—Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
Lake Mary was the 2A runner-up.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Jace Reed scored 19 points, Lucas Sterling had 10 points and both Nolan Embry and Jaxon Sallade added nine points for Cedar Park, which was the District 25-5A runner-up.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The Owls fell the following round to runner-up Western.
—Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
Cite this Entry
“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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