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
Moten was one of the breakout players on last year’s national runner-up.
—
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Those five County Teachers of the Year will advance to the state level competition in which five winners and five finalist runners-up are chosen.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Korda was runner-up yet again after shooting a 75 and finishing at 2 under.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Selected by Chicago with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft, Reese finished as runner-up to Clark in rookie-of-the-year voting and led the league in rebounds per game in each of her first two seasons.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Those five County Teachers of the Year will advance to the state level competition in which five winners and five finalist runners-up are chosen.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Korda was runner-up yet again after shooting a 75 and finishing at 2 under.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Selected by Chicago with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft, Reese finished as runner-up to Clark in rookie-of-the-year voting and led the league in rebounds per game in each of her first two seasons.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 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 12 Apr. 2026.
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