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.
The South Americans have the 2022 runner-ups’ full attention. — Torrey Hart, New York Times, 4 July 2026 The Runner-Up Publix Old-Fashioned Lemonade is the runner-up of our lemonade taste test. — Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 3 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 Carr’s father, Chris, played six seasons in the NBA, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the 1997 NBA dunk contest. — Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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