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.

A clutch fourth quarter that fueled a season-opening win offered hope that this era of the Chargers might be different from the also-ran teams of the past.

From Los Angeles Times

Put it all together, and it appears that Musk doesn’t realize that X needs advertisers more than they need X. The platform was generally an also-ran as an advertising medium online, trailing Meta and Google.

From Los Angeles Times

Texas has been mired in also-ran status for at least the last decade, a period in which it has been supposedly booming.

From Los Angeles Times

In just four years, China has grown from an also-ran to become the world’s largest car exporter, with almost five million cars exported last year.

From New York Times

In her 16 years at the school, Staley has built South Carolina, which was once an also-ran in the tradition-rich Southeastern Conference, into the measuring stick for the women’s game.

From Seattle Times