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 runner-up will win $1,000 as will the people’s choice winner.
—
Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 21 May 2024
Then pile the stress and expectations of being the next big thing who hasn’t quite turned that corner, a 14-time runner-up with two of those in majors, and the heat grows.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for runner-up 
Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 21 May 2024
Then pile the stress and expectations of being the next big thing who hasn’t quite turned that corner, a 14-time runner-up with two of those in majors, and the heat grows.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for runner-up
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 1 Jun. 2024.
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