second only to
idiom
: only less important than (something or someone)
Rice is second only to corn as the state's major crop.
Examples of second only to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That 24-race period culminated with McLaren, second only to Ferrari as the winningest team in Formula 1 history, capturing the World Constructors’ Championship after a 25-year drought.
—
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025
In this year’s third quarter — July through September — the average California household added $880 in new debt, increasing the total owed to $259,773, second only to residents of Hawaii.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025
In this year’s third quarter — July through September — the average California household added $880 in new debt, increasing the total owed to $259,773, second only to residents of Hawaii.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025
Texas, for example, is second only to Virginia with more than 400 data centers.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second only to
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Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025
In this year’s third quarter — July through September — the average California household added $880 in new debt, increasing the total owed to $259,773, second only to residents of Hawaii.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025
In this year’s third quarter — July through September — the average California household added $880 in new debt, increasing the total owed to $259,773, second only to residents of Hawaii.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025
Texas, for example, is second only to Virginia with more than 400 data centers.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second only to
Cite this Entry
“Second only to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20only%20to. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025.
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