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.

That’s when May also learned the unfortunate consequences of turning an also-ran into a Final Four team.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

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

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

On Saturday Napoli host another also-ran in Sassuolo before travelling to FC Copenhagen for a match will be key to their prospects of reaching the Champions League play-offs.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

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

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