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 Titans’ final-round 282 was six shots better than runner-up Hawaii’s final round.
—
Brian Robin, Orange County Register, 5 Apr. 2024
In December that year, McRaven was named as a runner-up for TIME's Person of the Year for his role in the operation.
—Vera Bergengruen, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
However, 2023 Florida Derby runner-up Mage went on to win the Kentucky Derby at 15/1 odds and secure his spot in racing history.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The new radio champ advances from the runner-up slot on both rankings to rule the lists dated March 30 and gives the rapper, who solely wrote the song, his first No. 1s on any Billboard charts.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2024
Graziadei was the runner-up during Lawson’s season.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024
Then Golden Bachelor runner-up Leslie Fhima stopped by Kelsey’s Fantasy Suite date to offer her advice.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
After season 28 Bachelor runner-up Daisy Kent turned down host Jesse Palmer’s offer to lead the next season of the show on After the Final Rose, the honor went to dark horse candidate Jenn Tran, who will be the franchise’s first Asian Bachelorette.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2024
And Rogers, who was the runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year in 2021, is looking to re-establish himself after struggling in 2022 and being limited to just 18 innings pitched in 2023.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2024
Brian Robin, Orange County Register, 5 Apr. 2024
In December that year, McRaven was named as a runner-up for TIME's Person of the Year for his role in the operation.
—Vera Bergengruen, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
However, 2023 Florida Derby runner-up Mage went on to win the Kentucky Derby at 15/1 odds and secure his spot in racing history.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The new radio champ advances from the runner-up slot on both rankings to rule the lists dated March 30 and gives the rapper, who solely wrote the song, his first No. 1s on any Billboard charts.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2024
Graziadei was the runner-up during Lawson’s season.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024
Then Golden Bachelor runner-up Leslie Fhima stopped by Kelsey’s Fantasy Suite date to offer her advice.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
After season 28 Bachelor runner-up Daisy Kent turned down host Jesse Palmer’s offer to lead the next season of the show on After the Final Rose, the honor went to dark horse candidate Jenn Tran, who will be the franchise’s first Asian Bachelorette.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2024
And Rogers, who was the runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year in 2021, is looking to re-establish himself after struggling in 2022 and being limited to just 18 innings pitched in 2023.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 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.
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 16 Apr. 2024.
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