also-ran

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It became an also-ran and there it remains until now.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

For most of its 122-year existence, Atlético Madrid has been seen as the Spanish capital’s also-ran, dwarfed by its crosstown rival Real Madrid.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

Nevertheless, Gaines portrays the moment as when her “dreams” were “shattered,” but most people would hardly use such heavy language for the difference between tying for fifth place versus having that also-ran trophy by yourself.

From Salon • Oct. 27, 2025

TikTok said that Oracle would run its secure cloud in the U.S., a coup for Oracle’s then also-ran business.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

Sparkle has been able to see the real me, the one I am when I'm not just Teal's brother, the also-ran, the slightly washed-out twin.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon