How to Use second-string in a Sentence
second-string
adjective-
But the meat was always second-string.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
-
There won’t be any risk of rotation or second-string teams.
—Holly Shand, New York Times, 22 May 2026
-
Javier Otero is back as the club’s second-string goalkeeper as well.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
-
Their entire knockout route would be set depending on this, so to put out a second-string team came as a surprise.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 26 June 2026
-
For two straight seasons, Ballard has beaten out Marshall for the second-string job.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
-
Dart consistently has worked with the second-string offense during training camp.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 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
-
But Jonah Williams has earned second-string snaps during Citrus Bowl practices the past week.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 29 Dec. 2025
-
Albin gave second-string quarterback Grayson Loftis the 49ers’ final two drives.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
-
Gabriel was drafted two rounds earlier than Sanders and naturally had the leg up in the competition for the second-string spot.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
-
None were afforded enough time on the pitch to really impress and, at this early stage of pre-season, the second-string players are largely filling gaps in the squad.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 25 July 2026
-
Their second-string defense held Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos without a touchdown.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
-
Tied at the time, Boston was outscored 13-2 with their second-string big on the floor and ended the quarter down 31-20.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
-
Wilson was anointed the team's starter entering the season, but Dart earned the second-string role after a strong preseason performance.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
-
Crimson Tide second-string quarterback Austin Mack finished the game with 103 passing yards.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
-
But manager Ståle Solbakken played a second-string side for that match and made 10 changes to the team that beat Senegal 3-2.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
-
Williams completed 8 of 12 passes for 86 yards while leading UM’s second-string offense to scores on two of three drives.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
-
Rookie running back Ollie Gordon II may have gone from fourth-string running back to second-string in a matter of seven days.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
-
Westover transitioned to fullback last training camp but spent all of practice as the Patriots’ second-string tight end behind Henry.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
-
Garza was the Celtics’ second-string center for the first month of the season, but the team’s late-November shift toward smaller lineups pushed him out of the rotation.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
-
The setback is a tough blow for Reichert, who appeared to be in line for early-season opportunities as Missouri’s second-string right guard.
—Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025
-
Miami also returned redshirt sophomore Emory Williams, who figures to be the second-string quarterback.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 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
-
Pickett, 27, spent 2025 as second-string quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Jameis Winston and the rookie Jaxson Dart have been battling for the second-string spot throughout the preseason.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
-
Dart is currently the second-string behind Russell Wilson, but he was used in a few run-pass-option plays last week against the Dallas Cowboys.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
-
DeVito clearly impressed the Patriots’ staff enough last season to be promoted to second-string behind Maye.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
-
Below him, the 18-year-old Douglass Lukjanciks is another promising prospect but is likely to play further second-string games, with a loan of his own the next step.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 May 2026
-
The star portrayed lead, Mox, a second-string quarterback called up after the team's starting QB (Paul Walker) is injured.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
-
Considering his similar build to Nico Iamaleava, the transfer’s odds appear higher for second-string status.
—Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'second-string.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Last Updated:
