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
First runner-up Nini Coco received a $25,000 cash tip, and finalist Darlene Mitchell was awarded $10,000 for her performance throughout the season. —
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 Seidel played his first major tournament in 1988, finishing as runner-up in the World Series of Poker main event. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026 Neither was 5-foot-10, 207-pound quarterback Diego Pavia, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, or tight end Riley Nowakowski, a walk-on at Wisconsin who joined Mendoza with the Hoosiers last season. —Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 In 2013, she was awarded first runner-up. —Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 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.
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 Seidel played his first major tournament in 1988, finishing as runner-up in the World Series of Poker main event. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026 Neither was 5-foot-10, 207-pound quarterback Diego Pavia, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, or tight end Riley Nowakowski, a walk-on at Wisconsin who joined Mendoza with the Hoosiers last season. —Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 In 2013, she was awarded first runner-up. —Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for runner-up
Cite this Entry
“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
