next best

idiom

used to refer to a person or thing that is not as good as the best but is better than all others
The shortstop is the best player on the team, and the catcher is the next best player.
We can't see each other often, but calling each other on the telephone is the next best thing.

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Cite this Entry

“Next best.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next%20best. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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