SECOND FIDDLE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

second fiddle

noun

Definition of second fiddle

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

Noun

Now, each artist has to read a prompt, sketch it, and surrender the sketch to Kaylin, who has 10 seconds to describe it to the performer, via what seems like a terrible, hard-to-hear phone connection.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026
Doing any of those things in 15 seconds where classical computing takes an hour is huge, mostly because many of these optimization problems are constantly changing minute by minute.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of second

Noun

With Stefanski opting to keep Ulbrich as his defensive coordinator, the Falcons retained all but two of their assistants on that side of the ball (defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg and outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith).

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 26 July 2026
Wearing these items can give AI assistants instantaneous access to your life.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 July 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

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Gary McFadden ended the department’s partnership with ICE in 2018, but 10 Charlotte-area sheriff’s deputies still work with the federal agency.

— Noah Vinsky July 25, Charlotte Observer, 26 July 2026
The firm most recently helped the city hire Nate Vogel, the airport’s deputy director of operations.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 26 July 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

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seconded

second fiddle

second fiddles

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“Second fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20fiddle. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of second fiddle

noun

Example Sentences

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