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
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
That’s a problem, because the 49ers will need to use the second-string defensive line frequently this upcoming season.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2024
Rookie Bo Nix was the second-string quarterback, while Zach Wilson had third-team reps.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 8 Aug. 2024
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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
That’s a problem, because the 49ers will need to use the second-string defensive line frequently this upcoming season.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2024
Rookie Bo Nix was the second-string quarterback, while Zach Wilson had third-team reps.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 8 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Second-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-string. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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