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
The Red Raiders can now even the score and get a first title of their own … or become another runner-up to a budding dynasty.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Nikola Jokic is coming off a sixth straight year as either MVP or runner-up, and Denver possesses the longest active streak of playoff appearances in the Western Conference at eight years.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
But Vrabel is hoping Brown’s arrival can further elevate the performance of last season’s NFL MVP runner-up, Drake Maye, and the offense around him.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
Hernandez won two state track and field events Saturday, but the runner-up cisgender girl was also awarded first place, as required by CIF policy.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Nikola Jokic is coming off a sixth straight year as either MVP or runner-up, and Denver possesses the longest active streak of playoff appearances in the Western Conference at eight years.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
But Vrabel is hoping Brown’s arrival can further elevate the performance of last season’s NFL MVP runner-up, Drake Maye, and the offense around him.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
Hernandez won two state track and field events Saturday, but the runner-up cisgender girl was also awarded first place, as required by CIF policy.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
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 10 Jun. 2026.
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