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
Northside Christian was runner-up with 53 points while Pahokee was eighth with 26 points.
—
Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 7 May 2026
Jaquez followed up a disappointing sophomore NBA season with a bounce-back year this season, finishing as the runner-up for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Jrue Holiday of the Portland Trail Blazers is a staple of our most underrated lists, having finished as the top vote-getter in 2023, the runner-up in 2024 and fifth last season.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 6 May 2026
The Wildcats were state champions in 1999 and runners-up eight times.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 7 May 2026
Jaquez followed up a disappointing sophomore NBA season with a bounce-back year this season, finishing as the runner-up for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Jrue Holiday of the Portland Trail Blazers is a staple of our most underrated lists, having finished as the top vote-getter in 2023, the runner-up in 2024 and fifth last season.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 6 May 2026
The Wildcats were state champions in 1999 and runners-up eight times.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 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 7 May. 2026.
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