second best
Almost the winner
Second best is a noun, adjective, and adverb that designates something that is inferior to the best.
Meeting minimum standards
- passableMinimally sufficient quality
- acceptableMeeting minimum standards
- satisfactoryMeeting minimum requirements
- decentAcceptably good
serviceable · sufficient · tolerable · fair · respectable · mediocre · average · middling
Resolved dispute or colony
- middle groundPosition between extremes
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
plan B · backup · contingency · alternative · workaround · makeshift · stopgap · lesser evil
Runner-up's award
- also-ranUnsuccessful competitor
- bridesmaidBride's ceremonial assistant
- finalistLast-round participant
- podium finishTop three result
honorable mention · near miss · contender · championship · competition · bronze · placing · ranking
Ease or soothing relief
- solaceRelief from distress
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
- silver liningConsolation within misfortune
- moral victoryDefeat with honor intact
encouragement · not bad · at least · upside · bright side
Failure to satisfy expectations
- shortcomingA fault or weakness
- underachievementPerforming below one's capability
- dissatisfactionState of being displeased
- regretSorrow over past actions
frustration · settling · missed opportunity · consolation prize · inferior · suboptimal · unfulfilled · bittersweet
good enough
Meeting minimum standards
- passableMinimally sufficient quality
- acceptableMeeting minimum standards
- satisfactoryMeeting minimum requirements
decent · serviceable · sufficient · tolerable · fair · respectable · mediocre · average · middling · unexceptional
settlement
Resolved dispute or colony
- middle groundPosition between extremes
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
fallback · plan B · backup · contingency · alternative · workaround · makeshift · stopgap · lesser evil
silver medal
Runner-up's award
- also-ranUnsuccessful competitor
- bridesmaidBride's ceremonial assistant
- finalistLast-round participant
podium finish · honorable mention · near miss · contender · championship · competition · bronze · placing · ranking · semifinalist
comfort
Ease or soothing relief
- solaceRelief from distress
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
- silver liningConsolation within misfortune
moral victory · encouragement · not bad · at least · upside · bright side
letdown
Failure to satisfy expectations
- shortcomingA fault or weakness
- underachievementPerforming below one's capability
- dissatisfactionState of being displeased
regret · frustration · settling · missed opportunity · consolation prize · inferior · suboptimal · unfulfilled · bittersweet · anticlimax
- runners-uprunner-up, silver medalist, silver medal
- Non-winnersloser, runner-up, beaten, defeated, third place
second bestbest
Highest in quality
champion · first · number one · winner · first place
second bestthe best
Superlative in quality
first choice · optimal · ideal · supreme · top choice
second, best, secondly, seconds, seconded, seconding, secondary, better