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.

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

Murdoch, who had just run a similar play overseas in soccer for English Premier League rights, believed football’s popularity could supercharge a network that was still seen as an also-ran to ABC, CBS and NBC.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

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

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