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

The suit centered on a seconds-long clip of surveillance video featured in the documentary showing Andrews returning absentee ballots for himself and four family members at a drop box before the 2020 election.

— Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
That was because the player being replaced — match-winner Will Lankshear — took more than 10 seconds to depart while applauding the supporters.

— George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of second

Noun

Alex Wagner, who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs during the Biden administration, argued recruiting has remained remarkably insulated from those political battles.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Coach Ken Niumatalolo built a veteran staff of assistants under Filimoeatu, adding defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Brian Norwood along with safeties coach Joe Dale.

— Niles Hall, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of assistant

Noun

Officers attempted to render medical aid until medics arrived on the scene, but the man was ultimately pronounced dead.

— Patrick Damp, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
And among all the driver aids and autonomous kit there’s even a dedicated Pet Mode to safely keep the cabin cool while parked.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of aid

Noun

GuamAmerican SamoaCaliforniaHawaiiAlaska 7 of 11 A 35-year-old White House aide, known for rarely leaving the president’s side, came under public scrutiny this week after Senator Jon Ossoff mentioned her during a campaign speech.

— New York Times, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Trump aides are engaging and even hitting back on the staff stories, including a subtweet from Dan Scavino that made the rounds among DC Republicans.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of aide

Noun

Among them were Broward County sheriff’s deputies who wanted photos and a trio of women who lamented they had been drawn into a new Republican-leaning district.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
His prosecutor was a young Johnnie Cochran, later to be a superstar defense lawyer, then a deputy city attorney.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 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

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seconded

second fiddle

second fiddles

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Style

“Second fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20fiddle. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of second fiddle

noun

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