SECOND FIDDLE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

second fiddle

noun

Definition of second fiddle

as in second

Related Words

Relevance

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 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

Noun

Engineered to protect hair from extreme heat, the Supersonic™ Travel uses intelligent heat control to measure temperature 100 times per second for healthier-looking, softer-feeling hair.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Alcántara gave the Cubs a 4-3 lead with his first career home run in the second, a two-out shot to left-center after Dansby Swanson walked.

— Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of second

Noun

At Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, assistant music professor Benjamin Guerrero is co-teaching a class next year with a computer scientist.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Gainesville quickly lured Grayson’s coach, Santavious Bryant, a former Gainesville assistant, as Niblett’s replacement.

— Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of assistant

Noun

While Viking sagas mention rhythmic chants to aid oarsmen, the dramatic, coordinated movements seen today bear little resemblance to actual Viking rowing techniques.

— Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The two governments are promising aid packages to help people who have lost homes or businesses.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of aid

Noun

Experts like Chen Gang, the deputy director and senior research fellow at NUS East Asian Institute, are positive that this momentum will lead to long-term gains for Chinese chipmakers.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Because of Micron’s corporate structure, the company needed to take the exemption two times, requiring it to pay on a maximum of $800 million in assessed value, according to Brad Smith, chief deputy at the Ada County Assessor’s Office.

— Mark Dee August 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 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

Style

“Second fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20fiddle. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of second fiddle

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

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

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes