: 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
Todd Feurer, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
He should be considered the second-best pass rusher on the market, behind only Trey Hendrickson.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
PC Magazine, 25 Nov. 2025
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
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
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Adjective
The Bears also have the second-best rushing offense in the NFL this season, with 2,281 yards so far this year, after finishing the 2024 season ranked 25th in the league in rushing yards.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
He should be considered the second-best pass rusher on the market, behind only Trey Hendrickson.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Noun
Nvidia, meanwhile, has had to comply with US demands to only sell weaker hardware to China, but does China want second best anymore?
—PC Magazine, 25 Nov. 2025
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
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 29 Dec. 2025.
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