second only to

phrase

: 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

For instance, this option from Oak and Luna features a naturally occurring silicon carbide now grown almost entirely in labs, brings a more responsible origin story alongside genuine brilliance, ranking second only to diamond in hardness. — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

By the same metric in 2024-25, Lampard’s side were second only to Burnley. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Pearls are considered the most subdued of jewels, second only to the jet jewelry to which Victorian women were limited during their long periods of formal mourning. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Thailand’s high rate of gun ownership is second only to Pakistan in Asia, and far surpasses its Southeast Asian neighbors. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for second only to

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou