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 Overall, though, Harvey continued to round into a complete three-down back Sunday after playing second fiddle to Dobbins for much of the year. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025 The Ed Gein Story and All’s Fair were met with critical hostility — the first is a thematically repetitive and exploitative condemnation of true crime and the audience who loves it, the second a bizarrely overqualified ensemble of acting titans playing second fiddle to Kim Kardashian. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025 Dubar has also had to contend with playing second fiddle to some NFL-caliber running backs in his time at Boise State. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 5 Nov. 2025 The Los Angeles Dodgers have often played second fiddle to the New York Yankees in baseball’s history books. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for second fiddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second fiddle
Noun
  • Los Angeles moved in front with a 25-6 run that started late in the first quarter and carried over to the second.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Getting five points in the final 128 seconds from a freshman backup who was thrust into a starting role, Aliso Niguel maintained a chokehold on the league title race with a 61-60 victory at Beckman on Monday.
    Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In a statement provided by Amy Cooper, executive assistant to the superintendent and special projects, the district said it is disappointed the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement after more than a year of negotiations.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Steele was considering pursuing a job in the NBA or becoming an assistant at a major college program.
    Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Fire department personell who responded to the scene rendered aid to the man and transported him to a nearby hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.
    Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Scarce aid can be maximized by investing in approaches that reach more people at less cost.
    Ciaran Donnelly, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Perhaps reflecting the stakes, GOP staff and campaign aides were reticent Monday to talk about the issue at all.
    Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Perhaps reflecting the stakes, GOP staff and campaign aides were hesitant Monday to talk about the issue at all.
    Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Scott’s deputy, John Modlin, who had previously been the head of Border Patrol in Tucson, Arizona, was given seven days to decide whether to resign, retire, or relocate his family to Boston for an unrelated homeland security job.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Cellphone video reviewed by deputies reportedly shows Martinez threatening to drop the weight on the woman before throwing it toward her head.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 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

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Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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