: one that is below or after the best
: in second place
Examples of second-best in a Sentence
Noun
He won't settle for second best.
Recent Examples on the Web
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
The event comes a day after GM reported standout third-quarter earnings and upped its guidance, pushing the stock to have its second-best day on record since the automaker's 2009 emergence from bankruptcy.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Ashley Vega, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Marvel has made clear that the studio is preparing the Fantastic Four’s most iconic nemesis, Dr. Doom, for a forthcoming film, but the planet-obliterating combo of Galactus and Silver Surfer hardly feel like second best.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 July 2025
Mark Carey, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Among the challenges for the second best-selling female artist of all time?
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for second-best
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Adjective
Chelsea have been at their creative best in the second half of matches, creating 15 big chances (second-best behind Palace’s 17) and scoring eight (best).
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
The event comes a day after GM reported standout third-quarter earnings and upped its guidance, pushing the stock to have its second-best day on record since the automaker's 2009 emergence from bankruptcy.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
In a post, the 16-year-old explains how what should have been a joyful celebration turned into yet another reminder of how his family dynamics leave him feeling second best.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Marvel has made clear that the studio is preparing the Fantastic Four’s most iconic nemesis, Dr. Doom, for a forthcoming film, but the planet-obliterating combo of Galactus and Silver Surfer hardly feel like second best.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 July 2025
Adverb
Spurs are third in the Premier League table after seven games and have the joint-second best defensive record.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Among the challenges for the second best-selling female artist of all time?
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for second-best
Cite this Entry
“Second-best.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-best. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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