second-string
adjective
sec·ond-string
ˌse-kən(d)-ˈstriŋ 
ˌse-kᵊŋ-
: being a substitute as distinguished from a regular (as on a ball team)
Examples of second-string in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Chris Olave Trade Rumors Eli Manning Reveals Mentor Approach to New York Giants QB
With the Giants, Winston is expected to play second-string to Russell Wilson.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
But because Real Madrid’s second-string side produced an unexpectedly resilient performance to record their first-ever win over Barcelona, a victory completed in an absolutely torrential thunderstorm.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Lloyd Kelly’s first start of 2025? Against Bromley of League Two, English football’s fourth tier, in the FA Cup’s third round on January 12 as one of nine Newcastle United changes to their previous line-up as coach Eddie Howe fielded a largely second-string side.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Stephens is set to become an unrestricted free agent, as is second-string Tre'Davious White.
—James Brizuela, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
But none of the Bulls stars offered enough firepower to fend off the Hawks’ second-string rotation.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
Now, Bridgewater will get his chance by presumably coming in as the second-string quarterback behind Jared Goff.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
On a rainy night in San Sebastian, Madrid put out a second-string team to rest Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and other regulars.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024
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.
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Chris Olave Trade Rumors Eli Manning Reveals Mentor Approach to New York Giants QB
With the Giants, Winston is expected to play second-string to Russell Wilson.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
But because Real Madrid’s second-string side produced an unexpectedly resilient performance to record their first-ever win over Barcelona, a victory completed in an absolutely torrential thunderstorm.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Lloyd Kelly’s first start of 2025? Against Bromley of League Two, English football’s fourth tier, in the FA Cup’s third round on January 12 as one of nine Newcastle United changes to their previous line-up as coach Eddie Howe fielded a largely second-string side.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Stephens is set to become an unrestricted free agent, as is second-string Tre'Davious White.
—James Brizuela, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
But none of the Bulls stars offered enough firepower to fend off the Hawks’ second-string rotation.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
Now, Bridgewater will get his chance by presumably coming in as the second-string quarterback behind Jared Goff.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
On a rainy night in San Sebastian, Madrid put out a second-string team to rest Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and other regulars.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Second-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-string. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share