1
as in has-been
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2
as in entrant
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of also-ran
The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II.
—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
The past master of the universe is an economic colossus but, strategically, its civilization is an also-ran.
—
Josef Joffe,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
Six years before Maye was drafted, Darnold was selected third overall, too, by an AFC East also-ran.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 2026
Google’s cloud business, once an also-ran, is growing steadily, thanks in part to the global rush to develop AI services and demand for compute.
—
Mark Bergen,
Fortune,
25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
The past master of the universe is an economic colossus but, strategically, its civilization is an also-ran.
—
Josef Joffe,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
Six years before Maye was drafted, Darnold was selected third overall, too, by an AFC East also-ran.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 2026
Google’s cloud business, once an also-ran, is growing steadily, thanks in part to the global rush to develop AI services and demand for compute.
—
Mark Bergen,
Fortune,
25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Recent Examples of Synonyms for also-ran
Noun
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In the Seventies, he was mocked as a Vegas has-been in a jumpsuit; in the Eighties, as a cultural colonizer.
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When her estranged daughter unexpectedly moves into their crumbling Manhattan townhouse, the TV has-been is confronted with the one role she’s spent her entire life avoiding: motherhood.
Noun
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Thirty-two entrants move on to the single-elimination stage, which begins on Sunday afternoon.
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The grand prize of the competition is a $100,000 home renovation, alongside $500 gift cards awarded to 100 top entrants, and $100 in spending money for another 50 winners.
Noun
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Louis rips his spine out, dislocates his jaw, and reads Claudia’s diary entries about how she was repeatedly assaulted by him.
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An entry foyer flows to a spacious great room with custom white oak shelving and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the Manhattan Bridge.
Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/also-ran. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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