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
My deep personal passion for Apple TV+ aside (accused by some of being an also-ran in the streaming wars), the company is a boring, thoroughly forgettable version of its former self.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 May 2024
Women athletes for decades have mostly been also-rans in the sports marketplace.
—Joel Mathis, theweek, 22 Mar. 2024
The also-rans are organizing protests alongside their legal objections.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2024
After Petersen, Iacocca and Welch, the rest were also-rans, the poll indicated.
—Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
As DeSantis floundered, Nikki Haley began to take his place as the GOP’s leading also-ran.
—Kyle Paoletta, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Where Steil adds unusual value, however, is in documenting the breadth of the damage this also-ran wrought upon our polity.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 22 Feb. 2024
Haas, in other words, is Formula 1’s basement dweller; their aspirations each year are not to vie for a title but to best fellow also-rans like Williams and Alpine.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024
His wealth has transformed the fortunes of City, taking the club from an also-ran in the English Premier League to a dominant force.
—Pan Pylas, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 May 2024
Women athletes for decades have mostly been also-rans in the sports marketplace.
—Joel Mathis, theweek, 22 Mar. 2024
The also-rans are organizing protests alongside their legal objections.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2024
After Petersen, Iacocca and Welch, the rest were also-rans, the poll indicated.
—Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
As DeSantis floundered, Nikki Haley began to take his place as the GOP’s leading also-ran.
—Kyle Paoletta, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Where Steil adds unusual value, however, is in documenting the breadth of the damage this also-ran wrought upon our polity.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 22 Feb. 2024
Haas, in other words, is Formula 1’s basement dweller; their aspirations each year are not to vie for a title but to best fellow also-rans like Williams and Alpine.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024
His wealth has transformed the fortunes of City, taking the club from an also-ran in the English Premier League to a dominant force.
—Pan Pylas, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'also-ran.' 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 also-ran
Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/also-ran. Accessed 19 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share