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
Thompson was a two-sport star last fall for Legend, helping the Titans to state runner-up finishes in both softball and flag football.
—
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Kyle Goller, who coached Windermere’s state runner-up girls team, was voted Coach of the Year.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
In the runner-up spot, Colorado neighbor Utah dominated the competition with an unmatched 414 inches of snowfall a year and 2,200 average skiable acres per resort.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Clarke guided Northwood to consecutive CIF-SS titles and a CIF State runner-up finish.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Kyle Goller, who coached Windermere’s state runner-up girls team, was voted Coach of the Year.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
In the runner-up spot, Colorado neighbor Utah dominated the competition with an unmatched 414 inches of snowfall a year and 2,200 average skiable acres per resort.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Clarke guided Northwood to consecutive CIF-SS titles and a CIF State runner-up finish.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 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 9 Jan. 2026.
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