: 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
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
In 1996, Mojo named him the second-best guitarist of all time, with only Jimi Hendrix ahead of him.
—Vulture, 4 Dec. 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
James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Nov. 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
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.
Adjective
The team with the lowest score gets two points, the team with the second-best score receives one point, and the highest-scoring team gets zero.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
In 1996, Mojo named him the second-best guitarist of all time, with only Jimi Hendrix ahead of him.
—Vulture, 4 Dec. 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
Lucas Digne was a distant second best.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Nov. 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 5 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share