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.

Not long ago, Amazon Web Services was seen as an also-ran in the great AI race.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Even classical music listeners have their version in what may be the most legendary rivalry of all — the one that also-ran Italian composer Antonio Salieri supposedly nursed with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

This week, Paramount is detailing its progress to advertisers, unveiling a slate of new shows and technological improvements it hopes will boost subscribers and ad revenue and lift it out of also-ran status.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

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

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

With Rosemont in the race, no one had any reason to believe that the horse Tom Smith was leading down the platform would be anything more than an also-ran.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand