seconds 1 of 3

plural of second

seconds

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of second
as in discards
something separated from a group or lot for not being as good as the others the slightly flawed linens were sold as seconds

Synonyms & Similar Words

seconds

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of second

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of seconds
Noun
The moon's shadow will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic, Spain, and Portugal, offering up to 2 minutes 18 seconds of totality. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 There was the guy Daemon stabbed through the ear, and then the smelly killers Gwayne sniffed out, and now Ser Adrian, who took a knife to the throat within seconds of seeing Aemond. Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 Wiebes leads Kim Le Court Pienaar by 14 seconds overall, with the 2023 Tour champion Demi Vollering another two seconds back in third. ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 The subtlety and strength on show in those few seconds should not be taken for granted. Art De Roché, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Shake for five seconds to briefly chill and mix flavors, then pour ice and liquid into a tall glass. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026 Out in the clean air, this pointer swung away from the compass to aim at the plume’s edge, several seconds before the fly physically turned to head back. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026 Let the water flush through for a 30 to 45 seconds before shutting valves and reclosing lines. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 In April, Jer Crane, the founder of software startup PocketOS, said a Cursor AI agent that the company was using in its own system wiped out its production database and backups in 9 seconds. Samantha Subin, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seconds
Noun
  • The duration of totality will peak at 6 minutes and 23 seconds near Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes, the pharaohs’ capital, in Egypt.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
    Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • And defunct iIndustry supplied artistic entrepreneurs with adaptable real-estate discards, like London’s Bankside Power Station, which evolved into Herzog & de Meuron’s Tate Modern.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
  • Li has dedicated freezer bags for different dishes, like vegetable scraps for soups or fruit discards for smoothies.
    Emily Siner, NPR, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • The electrical system recovers energy during braking and assists the gasoline engine, but the car cannot travel on electricity alone and never needs to be plugged in.
    Josh Max, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In early 2021, Jesse would receive help from Roof Above, which is a nonprofit that assists people who are experiencing homelessness get back on their feet.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • People who develop racing heartbeats, tremors, anxiety, insomnia, reflux, headaches or reproducible palpitations after drinking coffee should not ignore those symptoms simply because population studies are reassuring.
    Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • But the most striking of the new songs is the opener, a slow-motion unfurling against a backdrop of heartbeats and zithers.
    Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Emerge now aids nearly 1,900 survivors through complex legal processes and offers a crucial reintegration program for young women aging out of state care at 18, teaching vital life skills.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The movie focuses on a murder of a shepherd unraveled by his flock, which aids a somewhat hapless rural policeman in solving the crime.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • The most chatter from fans of Roku City — yes, a screen saver has many, many devotees — springs from the Easter eggs, a revolving selection of more than 40 pop-culture moments and nostalgic references that populate the screen.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There are a few brief, shining glimpses of the chemistry and character moments that made the first movie such a joy—like the early party scene where the team tries to lift Thor’s hammer—but Ultron is otherwise a slog.
    EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Choose the space, silence, or gentle boundary that helps your nervous system settle.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This process helps redefine identity and find new avenues for skills and values, proving that professional identity isn't erased when a job title disappears.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seconds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seconds. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on seconds

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster