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
Mac Jones, a former first-round draft pick in 2021, started this year as the San Francisco 49ers' second-string signal-caller, but with starter Brock Purdy missing eight games due to a toe injury, Jones filled in quite well.
—
Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
For two straight seasons, Ballard has beaten out Marshall for the second-string job.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
After the Browns traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this week, fans and pundits speculated whether Sanders would even be elevated to the second-string job, or remain in the third-string role behind Bailey Zappe.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
And San Francisco would not have pulled it off if not for the play of a quarterback who entered the season second-string.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
Notre Dame needed just two plays from there, with second-string tailback Jadarian Price taking a swing pass in the right flats through the middle of Arkansas’ defense for a 35-yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining before intermission.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2025
Heck, even Emory Williams had a 10 yard carry in the fourth quarter during the one drive when UM put its second-string offense in to wrap up the game.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Albin gave second-string quarterback Grayson Loftis the 49ers’ final two drives.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
But the meat was always second-string.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
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.
Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
For two straight seasons, Ballard has beaten out Marshall for the second-string job.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
After the Browns traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this week, fans and pundits speculated whether Sanders would even be elevated to the second-string job, or remain in the third-string role behind Bailey Zappe.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
And San Francisco would not have pulled it off if not for the play of a quarterback who entered the season second-string.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
Notre Dame needed just two plays from there, with second-string tailback Jadarian Price taking a swing pass in the right flats through the middle of Arkansas’ defense for a 35-yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining before intermission.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2025
Heck, even Emory Williams had a 10 yard carry in the fourth quarter during the one drive when UM put its second-string offense in to wrap up the game.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Albin gave second-string quarterback Grayson Loftis the 49ers’ final two drives.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
But the meat was always second-string.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Second-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-string. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share