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
In the quarterfinal, Corona del Mar edged Lincoln — the runner-up at the Millikan tournament — in overtime on a catch by senior Dorsett Stecker.
—
Dan Albano, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
Chelsea won the 2021 Club World Cup and was runner-up in 2012.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 13 July 2025
Following the gentlemen's singles final of the Grand Slam tennis tournament on July 13, the Princess of Wales headed down to Centre Court to award the trophies to the first-place finisher, Jannik Sinner of Italy, and the runner-up, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 13 July 2025
Leah and Miguel were the 2024 runners-up and JaNa and Kenny came in third.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Dan Albano, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
Chelsea won the 2021 Club World Cup and was runner-up in 2012.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 13 July 2025
Following the gentlemen's singles final of the Grand Slam tennis tournament on July 13, the Princess of Wales headed down to Centre Court to award the trophies to the first-place finisher, Jannik Sinner of Italy, and the runner-up, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 13 July 2025
Leah and Miguel were the 2024 runners-up and JaNa and Kenny came in third.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 12 July 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 Jul. 2025.
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