also-ran
noun
al·so-ran
ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran 
ˈȯ-
1
: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
2
: a contestant that does not win
3
: one that is of little importance especially competitively
was just an also-ran in the scramble for … privileges—
C. A. Buss
C. A. BussExamples of also-ran in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After Petersen, Iacocca and Welch, the rest were also-rans, the poll indicated.
—Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
As DeSantis floundered, Nikki Haley began to take his place as the GOP’s leading also-ran.
—Kyle Paoletta, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Where Steil adds unusual value, however, is in documenting the breadth of the damage this also-ran wrought upon our polity.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 22 Feb. 2024
Haas, in other words, is Formula 1’s basement dweller; their aspirations each year are not to vie for a title but to best fellow also-rans like Williams and Alpine.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024
His wealth has transformed the fortunes of City, taking the club from an also-ran in the English Premier League to a dominant force.
—Pan Pylas, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
Games were starting to become more popular, but they were powered by CPUs, central processing units, and then graphics were kind of like an also-ran.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024
Compared to Meta, Reddit is an advertising also-ran.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Thus, the Republican debates were basically a psychological exercise in human behavior — how can the also-rans criticize Trump enough to stand out as an alternative, but not enough to anger him or his unshakeable base?
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
As DeSantis floundered, Nikki Haley began to take his place as the GOP’s leading also-ran.
—Kyle Paoletta, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Where Steil adds unusual value, however, is in documenting the breadth of the damage this also-ran wrought upon our polity.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 22 Feb. 2024
Haas, in other words, is Formula 1’s basement dweller; their aspirations each year are not to vie for a title but to best fellow also-rans like Williams and Alpine.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024
His wealth has transformed the fortunes of City, taking the club from an also-ran in the English Premier League to a dominant force.
—Pan Pylas, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
Games were starting to become more popular, but they were powered by CPUs, central processing units, and then graphics were kind of like an also-ran.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024
Compared to Meta, Reddit is an advertising also-ran.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Thus, the Republican debates were basically a psychological exercise in human behavior — how can the also-rans criticize Trump enough to stand out as an alternative, but not enough to anger him or his unshakeable base?
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'also-ran.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/also-ran. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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