second fiddle

noun

Definition of second fiddlenext
as in second

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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 fiddle My connoisseurship plays second fiddle to my status as a member of the clan. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 2 June 2026 The religion of college football is strong in the South, and everything else just plays second fiddle. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026 Bicycle tail lights have a way of playing second fiddle to their brighter, more interesting headlight siblings. — Ben Coxworth may 15, New Atlas, 15 May 2026 Colleen Camp, on the other hand, demonstrates a flair for light comedy as an alluring French maid, though the role too often requires her to play second fiddle to her own enhanced bosom. — Kirk Ellis, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for second fiddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second fiddle
  1. second
  2. assistant
  3. aid
  4. aide
  5. deputy
  6. adjutant
  7. coadjutor
Noun
  • Segura's first goal of the season came with assists from defender Ryan Porteous — the second of his career — and Leo Walta — his first in his fifth league appearance.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Bears kicker Yousef Obeid had four field goals in the game, including a 37-yarder that tied it at 20 with 32 seconds left.
    — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of second
Noun
  • In Facebook groups for Astro owners, users have complained of diminished customer service and griped that Amazon's AIexa+ AI assistant isn't supported on Astro.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story.
    — Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of assistant
Noun
  • While Pentagon funding is the most obvious must for some Republicans, others would push to include measures to address the cost of living, elections, farm aid, and more.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • He’s charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, failure to render aid, and failure to obey a traffic control signal.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of aid
Noun
  • Harper Stephanopoulos, 21 A few years later on June 2, 2005, the former political aide and actress welcomed their second daughter, Harper Andrea.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The woman was the 66-year-old's home health aide, according to WABC.
    — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of aide
Noun
  • The sheriff's office said a Monroe County deputy took over the pursuit when the Chevrolet exited I-75 in Erie Township, Michigan.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies and Sacramento Regional Transit police officers also responded to investigate the incident.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of deputy
Noun
  • But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.
    — Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
  • In the months since fellow senior Legion executives suspended Abrahamson without pay from his statewide adjutant job in April, a number of the roughly 8,000 members in Idaho have called for a change in leadership.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2024
Definition of adjutant
Noun
  • Schnurr came to Cincinnati in 2008 as coadjutor archbishop and took over as archbishop about a year later, upon the retirement of former Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk.
    — Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • By 1997, he was named coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires, assuming full leadership of the archdiocese the following year.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of coadjutor

Browse Nearby Words

seconded
second fiddle
second fiddles
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Second fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20fiddle. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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