1
as in has-been
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2
as in entrant
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Recent Examples of also-ran
The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II.
—
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The past master of the universe is an economic colossus but, strategically, its civilization is an also-ran.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Six years before Maye was drafted, Darnold was selected third overall, too, by an AFC East also-ran.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
Google’s cloud business, once an also-ran, is growing steadily, thanks in part to the global rush to develop AI services and demand for compute.
—Mark Bergen, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The past master of the universe is an economic colossus but, strategically, its civilization is an also-ran.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Six years before Maye was drafted, Darnold was selected third overall, too, by an AFC East also-ran.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
Google’s cloud business, once an also-ran, is growing steadily, thanks in part to the global rush to develop AI services and demand for compute.
—Mark Bergen, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Recent Examples of Synonyms for also-ran
Noun
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In the Seventies, he was mocked as a Vegas has-been in a jumpsuit; in the Eighties, as a cultural colonizer.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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When her estranged daughter unexpectedly moves into their crumbling Manhattan townhouse, the TV has-been is confronted with the one role she’s spent her entire life avoiding: motherhood.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Last September, more than 16,000 students were named semifinalists for being the highest-scoring entrants from each state, with proportions based on each state’s total of graduating seniors.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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The most recent entrant in this space is a group of engineers at the French government technology lab CEA-Leti, in Grenoble.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There is also a clear nod to art collectors, with expansive walls and a gallery-style entry sequence.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
27 Apr. 2026
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Potential contractors are increasingly wary of the market, citing concerns over the project’s long-term profitability and the high risks associated with offshore entry.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/also-ran. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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