runners up
Almost-winners, collectively speaking
Runners up is a plural of runner-up, the competitors or teams that finish second in a competition or contest.
The term sometimes extends to all finalists who didn't win: The runners up each received a certificate of achievement.
The singular takes a hyphen; the plural may appear as runners-up or runners up.
Ranking below first
- so closeAlmost achieved, but not
- near missNarrowly averted incident
- bridesmaidBride's ceremonial assistant
- next in linePositioned to succeed immediately
Last competitors standing
- contendersThose seeking to win
- challengersThose who compete against
- rivalsThose who compete
- opponentsThose who compete against
semifinalists · qualifiers · underdogs · hopefuls · entrants · participants · candidates · nominees
Competition's top finishers
- athleticsCompetitive physical activities
- relay teamsGroups sharing sequential legs
- sprintersBrief-race speed athletes
- swimmersThose propelling through water
cyclists · gymnasts · wrestlers · boxers · fencers · archers · skaters
Athletes awarded for second
- bronze medalistsThose awarded for third
- consolation prizeAward for losing participants
- certificateFormal written attestation
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
commendation · accolade · distinction · placement · ranking · standing
second place
Ranking below first
- so closeAlmost achieved, but not
- near missNarrowly averted incident
- bridesmaidBride's ceremonial assistant
next in line · honorable mention · edged out · fell short · came close
finalists
Last competitors standing
- contendersThose seeking to win
- challengersThose who compete against
- rivalsThose who compete
opponents · semifinalists · qualifiers · underdogs · hopefuls · entrants · participants · candidates · nominees · shortlisted
medalists
Competition's top finishers
- athleticsCompetitive physical activities
- relay teamsGroups sharing sequential legs
- sprintersBrief-race speed athletes
swimmers · cyclists · gymnasts · wrestlers · boxers · fencers · archers · skaters
silver medalists
Athletes awarded for second
- bronze medalistsThose awarded for third
- consolation prizeAward for losing participants
- certificateFormal written attestation
recognition · commendation · accolade · distinction · placement · ranking · standing
- standingsrankings, leaderboard, league table, ladder, seeding
- footballfootball, touchdown, field goal, quarterback, end zone
runners upwinners
Those who prevail
champions · victors · gold medalists · first place · titlists
runners uplast place
Lowest rank achieved
dead last · losers · also-rans · bottom dwellers · cellar dwellers
runner, run, runs, running, runny, runnier, runniest, runner-up, upper