next best thing

• second bestRanked just below top
• alternativeAnother available choice
• substituteReplacement for another
• runner-upCompetition's silver finisher
• fallbackAlternative if primary fails

consolation · replacement · backup · stand-in · almost · close enough · compromise · settle · makeshift · surrogate · plan B · stopgap · approximation · workaround · pinch hitter · understudy · silver medal · imitation