runner-up
noun
run·ner-up
ˈrə-nər-ˌəp 
ˌrə-nər-ˈəp
plural runners-up
ˈrə-nərz-ˌəp
ˌrə-nərz-ˈəp
also runner-ups
: the competitor that does not win first place in a contest
especially
: one that finishes in second place
Examples of runner-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The film, which is based on a true story, also took the runner-up best film Lola in silver.
—
Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
Beets got eliminated alongside Seal (Corey Feldman) on the May 1 episode of the singing competition and unmasked as American Idol season 2 winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
The folk singer beat runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson — who was revealed as her new boyfriend, prior to the finale — and Gabby Barrett in third place.
—Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 1 May 2024
El Toro plays host to Gahr in Division 2.
Taylor Monteleone, Cypress: The senior first baseman enters the playoffs leading the Empire League runner-up in home runs (eight) and RBIs (39).
—Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 1 May 2024
The runner-up of Hannah Brown's 2019 season attended Friday night's Reds game at Great American Ball Park, during which the Reds beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-1.
—The Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2024
The Cal women’s gymnastics team capped the best season in program history with a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas.
—Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Track and Field: State runner-up, All-state Academics/other: Minnesota Honor Society, Sunday School teacher, Big Sister
College choice: Winona State
Addyson Barrett
School: Chisago Lakes
Athletics: Soccer: All-state, Conference Player of the Year.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2024
The Miami Heat, last year’s Finals runner-up, finished eighth in the standings and will visit the Philadelphia 76ers for the chance to take on the Knicks in round one.
—Sam Joseph and Jacob Lev, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
Beets got eliminated alongside Seal (Corey Feldman) on the May 1 episode of the singing competition and unmasked as American Idol season 2 winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
The folk singer beat runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson — who was revealed as her new boyfriend, prior to the finale — and Gabby Barrett in third place.
—Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 1 May 2024
El Toro plays host to Gahr in Division 2.
Taylor Monteleone, Cypress: The senior first baseman enters the playoffs leading the Empire League runner-up in home runs (eight) and RBIs (39).
—Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 1 May 2024
The runner-up of Hannah Brown's 2019 season attended Friday night's Reds game at Great American Ball Park, during which the Reds beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-1.
—The Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2024
The Cal women’s gymnastics team capped the best season in program history with a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas.
—Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Track and Field: State runner-up, All-state Academics/other: Minnesota Honor Society, Sunday School teacher, Big Sister
College choice: Winona State
Addyson Barrett
School: Chisago Lakes
Athletics: Soccer: All-state, Conference Player of the Year.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2024
The Miami Heat, last year’s Finals runner-up, finished eighth in the standings and will visit the Philadelphia 76ers for the chance to take on the Knicks in round one.
—Sam Joseph and Jacob Lev, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'runner-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near runner-up
Cite this Entry
“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 6 May. 2024.
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