also-ran
noun
al·so-ran
ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran 
ˈȯ-
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
was just an also-ran in the scramble for … privileges—
C. A. Buss
C. A. BussExamples of also-ran in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The odds are very low that the regular season finale will see a winner from below the cutline, so this is the last chance for a lot of these drivers to either make the playoffs or get ready to be an also-ran for the final 10 weeks of the season this fall.
—Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024
For these Orlando soccer teams, there is a focus on creating an overall culture that builds a platform for sustained tilts at success, but the ultimate aim is to win championships, not to merely be impressive also-rans.
—James Nalton, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
In most polls asking voters to list the issues that will influence their choice in next week’s presidential election, foreign policy fares little better than an also-ran.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Oct. 2024
Day two was dedicated to the also-rans—when Nikki Haley took the stage, she was met with some interruptive boos and a post-internet pink backdrop that complemented the flowers on her dress.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
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Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024
For these Orlando soccer teams, there is a focus on creating an overall culture that builds a platform for sustained tilts at success, but the ultimate aim is to win championships, not to merely be impressive also-rans.
—James Nalton, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
In most polls asking voters to list the issues that will influence their choice in next week’s presidential election, foreign policy fares little better than an also-ran.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Oct. 2024
Day two was dedicated to the also-rans—when Nikki Haley took the stage, she was met with some interruptive boos and a post-internet pink backdrop that complemented the flowers on her dress.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for also-ran
Dictionary Entries Near also-ran
Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/also-ran. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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