also-ran
noun
al·so-ran
ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran 
ˈȯ-
1
: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
2
: a contestant that does not win
3
: one that is of little importance especially competitively
was just an also-ran in the scramble for … privileges—
C. A. Buss
C. A. BussExamples of also-ran in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew Luck, the most significant recruit during the Jim Harbaugh era at Stanford, a quarterback who led the Cardinal from also-rans to national prominence, is returning to The Farm as the football team’s general manager.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024
But instead, the Cubs have been unable to push past the also-ran threshold.
—Jared Wyllys, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
The odds are very low that the regular season finale will see a winner from below the cutline, so this is the last chance for a lot of these drivers to either make the playoffs or get ready to be an also-ran for the final 10 weeks of the season this fall.
—Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024
For these Orlando soccer teams, there is a focus on creating an overall culture that builds a platform for sustained tilts at success, but the ultimate aim is to win championships, not to merely be impressive also-rans.
—James Nalton, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
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Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024
But instead, the Cubs have been unable to push past the also-ran threshold.
—Jared Wyllys, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
The odds are very low that the regular season finale will see a winner from below the cutline, so this is the last chance for a lot of these drivers to either make the playoffs or get ready to be an also-ran for the final 10 weeks of the season this fall.
—Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024
For these Orlando soccer teams, there is a focus on creating an overall culture that builds a platform for sustained tilts at success, but the ultimate aim is to win championships, not to merely be impressive also-rans.
—James Nalton, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for also-ran
Dictionary Entries Near also-ran
Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/also-ran. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.
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