second-rater

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.

Meyerhoff, one of the Schaubühne’s finest actors, injected fresh life into his character, a popular second-rater who probably suspects that he’s a hack.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2023

"A first-rate second-rater," Chamberlain found him, "who some day may be a big man."

From Time Magazine Archive

Shakespeare, as everyone knows, was regarded as a second-rater during part of the 18th Century, and various imbeciles set themselves to the job of editing and improving him.

From Time Magazine Archive

Says Pauline: "If I were a second-rater, I'd quit."

From Time Magazine Archive

Then they went and had a drink, and the old squatter said, "Now, I'll show you the difference between a champion ram and a second-rater."

From Three Elephant Power and Other Stories by Paterson, A. B. (Andrew Barton)