also-ran

noun

al·​so-ran ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran How to pronounce also-ran (audio)
ˈȯ-
Synonyms of also-rannext
1
: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
2
: a contestant that does not win
3
: one that is of little importance especially competitively
… taking the club from an also-ran to a dominant force.—Pan Pylas

Examples of also-ran in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Directed by their longtime collaborator Garth Jennings, the feature combines footage from their arena tour behind last year’s reunion album, More, with archival film tracing the band’s rise from tenacious Sheffield also-rans to Britpop darlings. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026 For 20 years, governors in the Top States have touted their CNBC rankings, while political opponents in the also-rans used them to try and pummel the party in power. — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 9 July 2026 Twentieth Century Fox had bet big on a blockbuster hit, but a real-life tragedy four months earlier ensured the film was doomed to be an also-ran at the box office. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 27 June 2026 Zidane steals the show France had been considered also-rans in the tournament, always falling short despite spectacular individual performances from players such as Just Fontaine and Michel Platini in previous editions. — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for also-ran

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of also-ran was in 1892

Browse Nearby Words

Alsophila
also-ran
alstonite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/also-ran. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

also-ran

noun
al·​so-ran
-ˌran
1
: a horse or dog that does not finish in the first three places in a race
2
: a contestant that does not win

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