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
The Brewers were an also-ran, the Tigers had an insurmountable lead in the AL Central and the Guardians had the fourth-worst record in the AL.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
My shoes were still in the window at Burch’s, at the center of the display, with clogs around them on lower platforms, also-rans to my winner.
—Rachel Kushner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Over 14 seasons, the versatile forward added 20-plus pounds to his frame and found ways to contribute as the Edmonton Oilers morphed from also-rans to championship contenders.
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Listen to the podcast in full, and hear more of our favorites and also-rans from Venice and Telluride, below.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
My shoes were still in the window at Burch’s, at the center of the display, with clogs around them on lower platforms, also-rans to my winner.
—Rachel Kushner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Over 14 seasons, the versatile forward added 20-plus pounds to his frame and found ways to contribute as the Edmonton Oilers morphed from also-rans to championship contenders.
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Listen to the podcast in full, and hear more of our favorites and also-rans from Venice and Telluride, below.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/also-ran. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share