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

As the final seconds ticked down on Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a valiant Argentina and the referee blew his whistle, one could be forgiven for their mind once again slipping to memories of La Roja’s maiden World Cup victory.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
To place a Roomba into Ship mode, hold down the Home button for 10 seconds.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 20 July 2026

Definition of second

Noun

In impoverished Nepal, where a conservative culture leaves openly transgender people with few legal job options, the impact on aid workers’ lives was particularly crushing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
What’s more, some creators already build pathways toward peer connection, mutual aid, learning, advocacy, and shared purpose.

— Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of aid

Noun

Her legislative aide at the time, Alessandro Marchesani, forwarded complaints about Airbnbs to the state agency, city officials and city inspectors.

— Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
When the Union for a Popular Movement MP for the Tarn region needed a parliamentary aide, Jublin jumped at the chance.

— Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 24 July 2026

Definition of aide

Noun

Outside of the president, no one in Washington has more input in crafting ICE’s strategy than White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, White House border czar Tom Homan, and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026
In Venezuela, the US left Maduro’s government in place under the control of his deputy, Delcy Rodríguez; the country was forced to open up its oil and mining to US investors, but not to democratise.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 19 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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Style

“Second fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20fiddle. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of second fiddle

noun

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