: 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
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The team fell from the second-best rushing team in 2024 to 18th the following year and dropped to 19th in scoring and 24th in yards.
—Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 13 Feb. 2026
People and governments see China as a poor second best but resent being forced to kowtow to our president.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
In three meetings with the East Yorkshire club this season, Phil Parkinson’s side have been distinctly second best.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for second-best
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Adjective
The Thunder are 8-0 in the postseason despite their second-best player Jalen Williams missing the entirety of the playoffs with a strained hamstring.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The team fell from the second-best rushing team in 2024 to 18th the following year and dropped to 19th in scoring and 24th in yards.
—Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
Noun
Surprisingly, the control group that received just water was doing second best, with the stems still standing stiff and only the outer petals showing a few signs of wilting.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 13 Feb. 2026
People and governments see China as a poor second best but resent being forced to kowtow to our president.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Materials is the second best-performing S & P 500 sector this year, up more than 14%.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
In three meetings with the East Yorkshire club this season, Phil Parkinson’s side have been distinctly second best.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
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 16 May. 2026.
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