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

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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
Some dialogues seem leisurely and inconsequential, while some major revelations are over in seconds. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026 The Rumbler interacts with a standard police siren, which generates around 110 to 120 decibels, and amplifies that sound through its speakers in eight-second intervals. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
She was born—for the first time—Alice Lucille McLeod in Detroit on August 27, 1937, the second youngest of six children in a musical family. — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Bangladesh is the second South Asian country, after India, with which Korea has concluded a CEPA. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
Nolan Arenado led off the eighth with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then scored on a single by Pavin Smith. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 After Bolte advanced to second on a wild pitch, Kilian got two outs before walking Tyler Soderstrom. — CBS News, 26 June 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
  • Abello pulled one back with her first goal of the season in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Green Bay Packers held their annual Family Night Scrimmage Friday night — a practice inside of Lambeau Field where fans were charged $10 to watch the 2-hour, 15 minute session.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of minute
Noun
  • And defunct iIndustry supplied artistic entrepreneurs with adaptable real-estate discards, like London’s Bankside Power Station, which evolved into Herzog & de Meuron’s Tate Modern.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
  • Wilted cilantro is safe to eat but may lack flavor and texture; discard leaves that are slimy, discolored, or have a foul odor.
    — Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 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
  • At the Elikya Ebola Treatment Center in Bunia, the nurse spends her days caring for patients infected with Ebola — one of the world’s deadliest viruses — administering medicine and assisting those too weak to feed themselves.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Cowell, meanwhile, saw his acts at his Malibu estate, where he was assisted by singer Normani and singer and producer Poo Bear.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • The finale underlines that break in its final scenes, cross-cutting between the former friends as Alicent makes her first and only appearance in the episode at the exact moment the full tragedy of Rhaenyra’s upper hand becomes apparent.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps, that moment will finally come this October in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of moment
Noun
  • Tech companies, especially large ones, have continued to cull jobs during the AI boom.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • On the company’s Friday call with analysts, Under Armour executives were peppered with questions about the new product cull, the company’s performance in different locales, and its overall marketing strategy.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cull
Adjective
  • These include possible improvements to the airframe, engine integration, and aerodynamic design, suggesting that engineers are continuing to evaluate and enhance the aircraft through successive flight tests.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Paks plant, which uses water from the Danube to cool its reactors, on Monday was producing only 240 megawatts of power rather than the usual 2,000 because of successive power-downs of its four reactors.
    — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of successive
Verb
  • This is aided by the panoramic sunroof, which, unlike some, doesn’t eat into passenger headroom.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The front of the robot houses an AI Vision camera; ultrasonic and IR sensors that aid navigation, obstacle avoidance, and mapping; and a pair of LED lights for nighttime cleaning.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of aid

Phrases Containing second

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seclusion
second
secondaries
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Cite this Entry

“Second.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on second

Nglish: Translation of second for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about second

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