also-ran

noun

al·​so-ran ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran How to pronounce also-ran (audio)
ˈȯ-
Synonyms of also-rannext
1
: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
2
: a contestant that does not win
3
: one that is of little importance especially competitively
… taking the club from an also-ran to a dominant force.—Pan Pylas

Examples of also-ran 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.
Smalley and Schmid began the day atop the tournament leaderboard and were now ending as also-rans. — Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 18 May 2026 The Warriors might be able to keep up with the Timberwolves, Suns, Lakers, or even the Nuggets, but those are also-rans, too. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 22 May 2026 John Poulakidas scored 28 points to lead the Mavericks in a meeting of also-rans that more closely resembled a summer league game. — CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 John Poulakidas scored 28 points to lead the Mavericks in a meeting of also-rans that more closely resembled a summer league game. — ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for also-ran

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of also-ran was in 1892

Browse Nearby Words

Alsophila
also-ran
alstonite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/also-ran. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

also-ran

noun
al·​so-ran
-ˌran
1
: a horse or dog that does not finish in the first three places in a race
2
: a contestant that does not win

More from Merriam-Webster on also-ran

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for also-ran

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