runner-up
Almost the champion
A runner-up is the competitor or team that finishes second, just behind the winner: She was the runner-up in last year's competition.
The term implies a close contest where finishing second still merits recognition.
Plural: runners-up.
Last-round participant
- contenderOne competing seriously
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- rivalOne who competes against
- competitorOne striving against others
opponent · semifinalist · qualifier · underdog · favorite · darkhorse · outsider · entrant
Bride's ceremonial assistant
- alternateOccur in succession
- substituteReplacement for another
- reserveSupply kept back
- penultimateSecond from the end
vice · consolation · near-miss · podium · standings · ranking · position · finish
Metal honor token
- trophyAward for winning
- prizeReward for winning
- awardHonor given for merit
- ribbonSlender ornamental strip
certificate · commendation · acknowledgment · distinction · honor · accolade · plaque · ceremony
Successful completion of aim
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- featRemarkable act of skill
- attainmentSuccessful reaching of goal
- successFavorable outcome attained
effort · endeavor · performance · showing · result · finish · personal-best · breakthrough
finalist
Last-round participant
- contenderOne competing seriously
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- rivalOne who competes against
competitor · opponent · semifinalist · qualifier · underdog · favorite · darkhorse · outsider · entrant · participant
bridesmaid
Bride's ceremonial assistant
- alternateOccur in succession
- substituteReplacement for another
- reserveSupply kept back
penultimate · vice · consolation · near-miss · podium · standings · ranking · position · finish
medal
Metal honor token
ribbon · certificate · commendation · acknowledgment · distinction · honor · accolade · plaque · ceremony · presentation
accomplishment
Successful completion of aim
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- featRemarkable act of skill
- attainmentSuccessful reaching of goal
success · effort · endeavor · performance · showing · result · finish · personal-best · breakthrough · qualification
- Non-winnersloser, beaten, defeated, second place, third place
- secondarysecondary, second fiddle, second string, second choice, second place
- Pageant WinnersMiss America, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss World, beauty queen
- honorable mentionsfinalist, second place, third place, special mention
- prom courtprom king, prom queen, tiara, sash, crowning
- runners-upsecond place, silver medalist, silver medal, second best
runner-upwinner
One who prevails
champion · victor · gold medalist · first place · titleholder
runner-uplast place
Lowest rank achieved
dead last · loser · also-ran · cellar dweller · wooden spoon
runner, running, runs, outrun, rerun, runners, reruns, reran, outrunning