second fiddle

Definition of second fiddlenext

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 Playing second fiddle to freshman sensation Jazzy Davidson (10 points) and Dunn (11 points), the senior guard couldn’t imprint her mark in Westwood on Saturday, shooting 1-for-9 from the field. Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026 So important, that other goals might play second fiddle. Hillary Stalker, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Dec. 2025 Unfortunately, similar to the (albeit heartwarming) tale between a restaurant garbage boy and Remy the rat, O’Connor — much like Linguini — was stuck playing second fiddle tonight on SNL, puppeted to and fro from sketch to sketch that sidelined his comedic talents. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2025 Down ⬇ Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value Panahi’s rise has sapped momentum from Neon’s other big foreign-language contender, which is now playing second fiddle to its stablemate. Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for second fiddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second fiddle
Noun
  • The robots also mastered high-speed cluster repositioning at speeds of 4 meters per second.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Less remembered is that GCU led by 12 midway through the second half before SDSU rallied and took the lead on Simmons’ tip-in with 58 seconds left.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • When the doctors and nurses refused, the agents would turn to nursing assistants or other ancillary staff who weren’t trained to handle those requests, the doctor said.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Bench coach Jeff Pickler, third base coach Andy Gonzalez, first base coach Doug Bernier, assistant hitting coach Jordan Pacheco and Schaeffer all took players aside to point out the nuances of the contact play.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Coventry’s and Mansfield’s fire departments provided mutual aid and representatives from UConn facilities operations, farm services, and the building inspector’s office also reported to the scene.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The man was moved to a safe location for medical aid but was later pronounced dead.
    Jordan B. Darling, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • His members include special education and teacher aides, cafeteria workers, custodians, gardeners and bus drivers.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The Army claimed McCarthy and Cohn, his chief counsel, had pressured the Army to give preferential treatment to David Schine, a McCarthy aide with whom Cohn was infatuated.
    Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Hours after her post, deputies assigned to the Salton City sheriff’s station responded to a call about the discovery of human remains in Salton City.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • According to Reyes-English’s suit, she was hired by the city in July 2013 as a senior field deputy, also known as a council aide, in Price’s council district.
    City News Service, Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • At the time, there were an estimated 450 greater adjutant storks left in the region.
    Kyla Mandel, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Since 2019, when Woodward took over as the Gooding adjutant, that totals more than $23,000, according to an accounting obtained by the Statesman from the county clerk through a public records request.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2024
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

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Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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