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 crucial testimony centered on exactly what happened during the final few seconds of Cantu’s life.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Mostly, the cast comes across as a group of friends and co-workers trying to produce comedy together, while fully aware that winning Game Changer just means getting two seconds of celebration and a gag prize.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of second

Noun

Cignetti, who worked as a Saban assistant from 2007 to 2010, clapped back.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Ball, who collaborated with two camera operators and two assistants on Tucci in Italy, then designed shots as unobtrusive as possible so the contributors could feel comfortable.

— Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of assistant

Noun

The Jackson campaign had commandeered the green room Bottoms and her aides were supposed to use for the event.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
While aides for the Sussexes insist that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have no plans to become working royals in the future, Harry is said to be hoping to reconcile with his family and spend more time with his father.

— Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of aide

Noun

In 2019, deputies arrived at a Denver-area STEM school while shooting was still going on inside, the local sheriff said at the time.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
On arrival, deputies located the teens, both males, at a fire station before they were taken to a hospital.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 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

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“Second fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20fiddle. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of second fiddle

noun

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