also-ran

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Not long ago, Amazon Web Services was seen as an also-ran in the great AI race.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Even classical music listeners have their version in what may be the most legendary rivalry of all — the one that also-ran Italian composer Antonio Salieri supposedly nursed with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

After years as an also-ran, the startup has pulled ahead in the artificial-intelligence race after focusing on enterprise users and coding.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Coming into the AI boom, Google Cloud was an also-ran among the big clouds.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Maybe a part of me loves her because she’s the eternal also-ran, a lot like me.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak