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
Anisimova, runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2025, claimed victory in Beijing despite Nosková posing a significant challenge in the second set.
—
Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Justine Ndiba, a 32-year-old from Love Island USA Season 2, and Tyrique Hyde, a 26-year-old from Love Island UK Season 10, were the runners-up of Love Island Games Season 2.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2025
Despite not winning the competition, runner-up Harlem Lewis is currently representing the NXT brand in Japan, competing in Pro Wrestling NOAH alongside Charlie Dempsey.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Frankenstein received the Graffetta d'Oro for Best Film at the Venice International Film Festival and was runner-up for the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
—Rachel Choy, Refinery29, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Justine Ndiba, a 32-year-old from Love Island USA Season 2, and Tyrique Hyde, a 26-year-old from Love Island UK Season 10, were the runners-up of Love Island Games Season 2.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2025
Despite not winning the competition, runner-up Harlem Lewis is currently representing the NXT brand in Japan, competing in Pro Wrestling NOAH alongside Charlie Dempsey.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Frankenstein received the Graffetta d'Oro for Best Film at the Venice International Film Festival and was runner-up for the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
—Rachel Choy, Refinery29, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
Cite this Entry
“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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