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 The clerical government has prioritized the maintenance and export of its Islamic ideology first and foremost, with economics playing second fiddle. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026 Doncic finished with 38 points, 11 assists and six rebounds on 11-for-25 shooting (8 for 14 from 3-point range), while Reaves played second fiddle with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field. Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026 Mesut has always played second fiddle to his handsome younger brother, Sheikh Ferit (Feyyaz Duman). Catherine Bray, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026 Lucas Grabeel played second fiddle to Tisdale as Sharpay's brother, Ryan Evans. Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for second fiddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second fiddle
Noun
  • Within seconds of the Yankees recording the final out of Monday’s 12-1 win over the Orioles, John Sterling’s signature victory call bellowed from Yankee Stadium’s speakers.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
  • With an inventory of over 3 million hotels in over 200 countries, Travelocity can help narrow down the best possible accommodations for you within seconds.
    Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • The Google Health app already works with data from other apps and devices, but the AI assistant within it is only available for Pixel Watch and Fitbit products today.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
  • The post directed interested candidates to apply online, and email resumes to Mansfield ISD assistant athletic director Dawn Mailloux-Smith and head football coach and athletic coordinator Kirk Thor.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Bolívar, indeed, had taken aid from Haiti.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • With Western military aid and innovations from Ukraine’s now-thriving domestic defense industry, Kyiv has weakened Russia’s economy and military.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • Why should teachers be exempt from income taxes, but not firefighters, sanitation workers, NICU nurses, aides in memory-care units, or paramedics?
    Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Princess Kate has been widely reported to use her clutch in similar ways, allowing aides to manage crowd interactions without awkward verbal cues.
    Terry Moseley, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Gerard Moorer, 42, of Chicago, who served as Davis’ deputy district director and ran unsuccessfully for the statehouse himself in 2020, was charged in the nine-page indictment with three counts of wire fraud, each of which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • An Israeli official told CNN that Israel believes the deputy commander of the Radwan force was also hurt in the attack.
    Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 6 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Second fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20fiddle. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster