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
Mater Dei reached the Division 2 semifinals, its best postseason run since a runner-up finish in Division 3 in 2019.
—
Dan Albano, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
The show is also doubling its Love Island USA quota by bringing in Peacock stars Nic Vansteenberghe (season 7 runner-up) and Kaylor Martin (season 6).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
The runner-up is the 715-strike put expiring next Monday, which traded $35 million as of writing.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 9 June 2026
Canady led the Red Raiders to a runner-up finish in their first Women’s College World Series appearance in 2025.
—Scott Allen, Time, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Dan Albano, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
The show is also doubling its Love Island USA quota by bringing in Peacock stars Nic Vansteenberghe (season 7 runner-up) and Kaylor Martin (season 6).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
The runner-up is the 715-strike put expiring next Monday, which traded $35 million as of writing.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 9 June 2026
Canady led the Red Raiders to a runner-up finish in their first Women’s College World Series appearance in 2025.
—Scott Allen, Time, 9 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 12 Jun. 2026.
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