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 Atlas Lions impressed in their opening 1-1 draw against Brazil, and finished as Group C runner-up behind the five-time champion on goal difference after successive wins against Haiti and Scotland.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
Coach Lionel Scaloni and De Paul warned against underestimating the West African island nation, which finished runner-up in Group H after a 0-0 draw against Spain, 2-2 draw against Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium, and 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
The same simulation also tracks how often each team reaches each stage of the bracket, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, final, third-place match, runner-up finish, and championship.
—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
The South Americans have the 2022 runner-ups’ full attention.
—
Torrey Hart,
New York Times,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for runner-up
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.
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
Coach Lionel Scaloni and De Paul warned against underestimating the West African island nation, which finished runner-up in Group H after a 0-0 draw against Spain, 2-2 draw against Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium, and 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
The same simulation also tracks how often each team reaches each stage of the bracket, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, final, third-place match, runner-up finish, and championship.
—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
The South Americans have the 2022 runner-ups’ full attention.
—
Torrey Hart,
New York Times,
4 July 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 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
