1
as in has-been
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2
as in entrant
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Recent Examples of also-ran
The Brewers were an also-ran, the Tigers had an insurmountable lead in the AL Central and the Guardians had the fourth-worst record in the AL.
—
Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Over 14 seasons, the versatile forward added 20-plus pounds to his frame and found ways to contribute as the Edmonton Oilers morphed from also-rans to championship contenders.
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
My shoes were still in the window at Burch’s, at the center of the display, with clogs around them on lower platforms, also-rans to my winner.
—Rachel Kushner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Listen to the podcast in full, and hear more of our favorites and also-rans from Venice and Telluride, below.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Over 14 seasons, the versatile forward added 20-plus pounds to his frame and found ways to contribute as the Edmonton Oilers morphed from also-rans to championship contenders.
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
My shoes were still in the window at Burch’s, at the center of the display, with clogs around them on lower platforms, also-rans to my winner.
—Rachel Kushner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Listen to the podcast in full, and hear more of our favorites and also-rans from Venice and Telluride, below.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Recent Examples of Synonyms for also-ran
Noun
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In other words, the vainly hopeful Larry is about to endure twin humiliations, leaving him feeling bumped out of his life and into the past—a has-been, instantly old.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Oct. 2025
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DiCaprio makes a great, vital has-been, squinting at the horrors around him in disbelief, but mostly, driven by the need to protect his child.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Cocktails include classics like an Old Fashioned and new entrants, such as the Riviera cocktail.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
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Five winners will be chosen at random for one prize each from the entire pool of entrants across all three platforms.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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On November 30, 1680, a procession of new viceroys made their triumphant entry into Mexico City.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Still, the barrier to entry is low—requiring only a high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training—and the sector’s stability offers something rare in an uncertain labor market.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/also-ran. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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