runner-up

noun

run·​ner-up ˈrə-nər-ˌəp How to pronounce runner-up (audio)
ˌrə-nər-ˈəp
plural runners-up ˈrə-nərz-ˌəp How to pronounce runner-up (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sparkles was runner-up, while Crystal Envy won the title of Miss Congeniality. — Lawrence Yee, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025 But first, here are our favorite contenders and runner-ups from our go-to appliance brands—many of which are on sale, and all that have been thoroughly tested and reviewed by us. — Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025 Two other works were selected as runners-up: an otherworldly image of Chinese migrants warming themselves by a fire after crossing the US-Mexico border, and a haunting image of a young man walking to his village, once accessible by boat, along a desert-like riverbed in the Amazon. — Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025 With Gretzky, whose uniform No. 99 is retired league-wide, now at No. 2 in terms of that record, well, that’s a connection to Drake being at the Hot 100’s runner-up position. — Gary Trust, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for runner-up

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of runner-up was in 1859

Rhymes for runner-up

See All Rhymes for runner-up

Browse Nearby Words

runner stick
runner-up
runnet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

runner-up

noun
run·​ner-up
ˈrən-ə-ˌrəp
plural runners-up
: the competitor in a contest who finishes next to the winner

More from Merriam-Webster on runner-up

Nglish: Translation of runner-up for Spanish Speakers

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