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
In 2013, Liverpool defeated runners-up Bristol Academy to top the table by five points.
—
Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Josh Kraft, the runner-up in this month’s preliminary election, dropped out of the race after his 49-point defeat to Wu.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Some even claimed runner-up Sadie Schiermeyer, representing Texas, should have won instead.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Her victory sparked enough debate to prompt a special rematch, which runner-up John O'Hurley ultimately won.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Josh Kraft, the runner-up in this month’s preliminary election, dropped out of the race after his 49-point defeat to Wu.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Some even claimed runner-up Sadie Schiermeyer, representing Texas, should have won instead.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Her victory sparked enough debate to prompt a special rematch, which runner-up John O'Hurley ultimately won.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share