How to Use runner-up in a Sentence

runner-up

noun
  • Licorice is the runner-up in that debate.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
  • France was runner-up for a seventh straight year.
    — ABC News, 17 May 2026
  • This year, runner-ups will walk away with slightly more.
    — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Will any of their stars go from runner-up to award-winner?
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Yes, the Hawkeyes have been runner-ups the last two years in a row.
    — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The Hornets were state runners-up a year ago.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Now, anyone can claim a spot in the top four, even a runner-up or third-place team.
    — Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
  • The runner-up for that title is Licorice.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The Hornets were state runners-up last year.
    — Chris Martucci, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Brown has trained two past Derby runners-up.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 2 May 2026
  • Lake Mary was the 2A runner-up.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Would that spell doom for the season 35 runner-up?
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The project rises from the runner-up space back to the summit.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Revuelta closed with a 68 and was runner-up.
    — ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Even a runner-up finish would get him in through the world ranking.
    — Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The pair finished as runners-up in the finale episode.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Cedar Grove was the 2025 runner-up.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
  • She's been on those stages countless times, many times a runner-up up and many times overlooked.
    — Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • The tune debuted in the runner-up spot in late June.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • No more runner-up to Cherry Creek.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
  • In both, he was sent home as the runner-up during the series finale.
    — Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Also, two runners-up will each win free Whataburger for a year.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026
  • In both, he was sent home as the runner-up during the series finale.
    — Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Caminero was runner-up to Cal Raleigh in last year’s contest.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • As of the time of writing, however, it has been pushed to the runner-up spot.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • That’s an easy answer for a team that has finished as runners-up three seasons in a row.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • There was no runner-up finish this time for an elite edge rusher in the prime of his career.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Jokic was the runner-up to him in 2025.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
  • O’Ward had two runner-up finishes and a third place in the last four years.
    — Michael Marot, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
  • That’s twice as many prizes as the current runner-up, Sheeran.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'runner-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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