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
Vanderbilt quarterback and Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia is leading a group of more than two dozen former JUCO players who want D-I eligibility to start when a player first registers at an NCAA member school.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Here’s something else to consider, both of the Super Bowl runners-up for the past two years, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia, were led by defense, too.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
The three group winners and the best overall runner-up advance to the quarterfinals.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Teammate Rachael Strock was the runner-up, while Winchester’s Caroline Lanz finished fourth.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Here’s something else to consider, both of the Super Bowl runners-up for the past two years, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia, were led by defense, too.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
The three group winners and the best overall runner-up advance to the quarterfinals.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Teammate Rachael Strock was the runner-up, while Winchester’s Caroline Lanz finished fourth.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
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 15 Feb. 2026.
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