also-ran

noun

Definition of also-rannext
1
as in has-been

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2
as in entrant

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of also-ran Six years before Maye was drafted, Darnold was selected third overall, too, by an AFC East also-ran. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026 Eric Swalwell’s exit from the race has presented an opportunity for the also-ran candidates to surge into contention. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026 The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 Scared of spending billions backing what appeared to be an also-ran, most traditional VCs shied away—except Spark Capital partner Yasmin Razavi. — Iain Martin, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Recent Examples of Synonyms for also-ran
  1. has-been
  2. entrant
  3. entry
Noun
  • In the Seventies, he was mocked as a Vegas has-been in a jumpsuit; in the Eighties, as a cultural colonizer.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Ken Blake Brea Sorry to see Jerry Neuheisel leave UCLA to join traitor and coaching has-been Chip Kelly at Northwestern.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Definition of has-been
Noun
  • Before the round of 16 got underway, nine of the 10 fastest goals were from the group stage, with only Mohamed Saber’s penalty in Egypt’s shootout win over Australia on Friday night in Dallas being the only entrant from the knockout stage.
    — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Janus is a new entrant to public markets, having debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in March after a $20-per-share initial public offering that valued the company at $840 million.
    — Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of entrant
Noun
  • The two companies have vied to place their products in neonatal intensive care units, which serve as entry points to hospital contracts and the retail market, KFF Health News reported in a March article based largely on records from court cases.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Cannes Lions reported a significant jump to 40% of entries using AI, indicating agencies are openly embracing the technology.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of entry

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Cite this Entry

“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/also-ran. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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