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
Achilles tendon ruptures to three then-Eastern Conference All-Stars have cracked open a championship window for recent perpetual also-rans like the Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Right now is when fans of also-rans start to look for anything that could possibly carry momentum into the winter.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
His mother told him don't be an also-ran to the first wife’s sons.
—Edward Felsenthal, Time, 23 July 2025
Past also-rans feel much more enjoyable now, too, like Kona, Skater’s Island, and London.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
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Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Right now is when fans of also-rans start to look for anything that could possibly carry momentum into the winter.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
His mother told him don't be an also-ran to the first wife’s sons.
—Edward Felsenthal, Time, 23 July 2025
Past also-rans feel much more enjoyable now, too, like Kona, Skater’s Island, and London.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 11 July 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 10 Sep. 2025.
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