second 1 of 4

noun (1)

Definition of secondnext
as in minute
a very small space of time I'll be ready in a second

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

second

2 of 4

noun (2)

as in discard
something separated from a group or lot for not being as good as the others the slightly flawed linens were sold as seconds

Synonyms & Similar Words

second

3 of 4

adjective

as in another

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

second

4 of 4

verb

as in to assist

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of second
Noun
Brunet trimmed the Ducks’ lead with his first goal early in the second, connecting on a power play in the 23-year-old defenseman’s sixth NHL game. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 The Spartans regained the lead 47 seconds before halftime when Milivojevic connected with Bryson Williams on a 32-yard touchdown pass. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Most of those reductions occurred during the first year of his second term. — Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 This is the second affair in which Ken Paxton has been involved. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Bogaerts got to second on Dustin Harris’ subsequent sacrifice bunt. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Ray promptly led off with a homer to put us out in front 4–3, while Lenny followed with a single and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. — New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for second
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second
  1. minute
  2. discard
  3. another
  4. assist
  5. moment
  6. cull
  7. successive
  8. aid
Noun
  • Over the record’s 33 minutes, Holden delivers an outstanding addition to his catalog that’s as absorbing and realist as any rap album this year.
    — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The nearly six-minute film shows how the team combines precision machining, assembly, and repair to accelerate robot development.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of minute
Noun
  • Drawing on classic trial films and cartoon lore, director Dave Green crafts an underdog story that mirrors the movie’s own David-versus-Goliath journey from studio discard to theatrical release.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • If liquid collects on the top of the discard, stir it in before using.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of discard
Adjective
  • Chief Randal Taylor, in an another car behind Adams, aided the pursuit, the police said.
    — Justin L. Mack, Indianapolis Star, 7 May 2020
  • As the Gophers kept winning in a historic season, stakes surrounding their season-ending rivalry game with Wisconsin kept ratcheting up — outgrowing even the another annual Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 30 Nov. 2019
Definition of another
Verb
  • His appeal is meant to be broad, with proposals to cap credit card rates, cut middle-class taxes, lower prices and assist people with their first down payment on a home.
    — Sam Sifton, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Department of Water and Power assisted in the investigation, McDonnell said, as one of its employees was a suspect and was subsequently arrested.
    — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • Catch up on breaking news, exclusive interviews, political analysis, original reporting, and standout moments — all in one place, every week.
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
  • These are but moments in an auteur’s widescreen epic that never sits still.
    — Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of moment
Noun
  • The news comes only 24 hours after the streamer underwent a massive cull, laying off around 1,000 employees.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Others worry about the cull’s potential impact on the shark species.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of cull
Adjective
  • An eight-minute brain scan comprises a few hundred successive images of the whole brain.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The United States under successive presidential administrations has been critical of the ICC since its founding.
    — Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of successive
Verb
  • Along with Williams, at least 14 other people, many of them friends and family of the escapees, were arrested and accused of aiding in the escape, including by providing food, cash, transport and shelter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Here, the fabric’s waterproofing is aided by a light water-repellent finish and thorough internal seam taping, a technical manufacturing process rarely attempted by factories outside of southeast Asia.
    — Daniel Varghese, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of aid

Phrases Containing second

Browse Nearby Words

seclusion
second
secondaries
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Second.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on second

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about second

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All