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
That triple jump performance was eight feet further than the runner-up.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Previously, Jisoo topped out in the runner-up space on the World Digital Song Sales chart.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
The special will feature former Drag Race stars and resident cast members like Season Seven runner-up Ginger Minj, Season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall, and Asia O’Hara.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
Schreiner defeated 14-year-old runner-up Zwange Edwards, 16-year-old third-place finisher Zariah Hargrove, 15-year-old Leah Walker and 18-year-old Ainsley Rausch.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Previously, Jisoo topped out in the runner-up space on the World Digital Song Sales chart.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
The special will feature former Drag Race stars and resident cast members like Season Seven runner-up Ginger Minj, Season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall, and Asia O’Hara.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
Schreiner defeated 14-year-old runner-up Zwange Edwards, 16-year-old third-place finisher Zariah Hargrove, 15-year-old Leah Walker and 18-year-old Ainsley Rausch.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
Cite this Entry
“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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