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 Lions finished as runner-up to FW Southwest Christian in District 1 despite sweeping the Eagles 19-1 and 8-2 in a pair of regular-season meetings in late March.
—
Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2025
Who will win Coach of the Year? Jennings: Stephanie White, Indiana Fever
My picks for league champ (and runner-up), MVP and Coach of the Year hail from different franchises — illustrating the heavyweight nature at the top of the WNBA this season.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Photo : Paolo Carlini, courtesy of RM Sotheby's This Alfa Romeo was the runner-up for top honors at the 1933 Monte Carlo Concours d’Elegance.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 May 2025
Shortly after the former cheerleader, 24, placed third at the statewide event — coming in behind winner Shelby Howell and runner-up Mara Carpenter — a source tells PEOPLE that Hudson could very well return to the competition in the future.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2025
Who will win Coach of the Year? Jennings: Stephanie White, Indiana Fever
My picks for league champ (and runner-up), MVP and Coach of the Year hail from different franchises — illustrating the heavyweight nature at the top of the WNBA this season.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Photo : Paolo Carlini, courtesy of RM Sotheby's This Alfa Romeo was the runner-up for top honors at the 1933 Monte Carlo Concours d’Elegance.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 May 2025
Shortly after the former cheerleader, 24, placed third at the statewide event — coming in behind winner Shelby Howell and runner-up Mara Carpenter — a source tells PEOPLE that Hudson could very well return to the competition in the future.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 14 May 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 18 May. 2025.
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