second-string
adjective
sec·ond-string
ˌse-kən(d)-ˈstriŋ 
ˌse-kᵊŋ-
: being a substitute as distinguished from a regular (as on a ball team)
Examples of second-string in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s a problem, because the 49ers will need to use the second-string defensive line frequently this upcoming season.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2024
Rookie Bo Nix was the second-string quarterback, while Zach Wilson had third-team reps.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 8 Aug. 2024
No sooner asked than done: A miracle appears, in the form of the Green Knight, and the ramshackle band of second-string knights sets off to find a Holy Lance.
—Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Winters mostly played on the second-string defense in offseason workouts while Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, De’Vondre Campbell and Curtis Robinson were the first-string unit.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024
However, Jets general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh continued to back Zach Wilson despite the fact that he was being demoted from starter to second-string.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2024
Rob Beal lined up with Gross-Matos as the second-string defensive ends, followed by Alex Barrett and Raymond Johnson III on the third unit.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 21 May 2024
Those running with the first- and second-string on Day 1 aren’t necessarily first- and second-stringers.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024
But Darnold looked pretty good handing the ball off and ripping a few third-down passes against the second-string of a mediocre, young defense.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2024
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2024
Rookie Bo Nix was the second-string quarterback, while Zach Wilson had third-team reps.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 8 Aug. 2024
No sooner asked than done: A miracle appears, in the form of the Green Knight, and the ramshackle band of second-string knights sets off to find a Holy Lance.
—Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Winters mostly played on the second-string defense in offseason workouts while Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, De’Vondre Campbell and Curtis Robinson were the first-string unit.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024
However, Jets general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh continued to back Zach Wilson despite the fact that he was being demoted from starter to second-string.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2024
Rob Beal lined up with Gross-Matos as the second-string defensive ends, followed by Alex Barrett and Raymond Johnson III on the third unit.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 21 May 2024
Those running with the first- and second-string on Day 1 aren’t necessarily first- and second-stringers.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024
But Darnold looked pretty good handing the ball off and ripping a few third-down passes against the second-string of a mediocre, young defense.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'second-string.' 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
“Second-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-string. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
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