second fiddle

noun

Definition of second fiddlenext
as in second

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of second fiddle My connoisseurship plays second fiddle to my status as a member of the clan. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 2 June 2026 The religion of college football is strong in the South, and everything else just plays second fiddle. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026 Bicycle tail lights have a way of playing second fiddle to their brighter, more interesting headlight siblings. — Ben Coxworth may 15, New Atlas, 15 May 2026 Colleen Camp, on the other hand, demonstrates a flair for light comedy as an alluring French maid, though the role too often requires her to play second fiddle to her own enhanced bosom. — Kirk Ellis, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for second fiddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second fiddle
  1. second
  2. assistant
  3. aid
  4. aide
  5. deputy
  6. adjutant
  7. coadjutor
Noun
  • Its 100mm pixel macro lens captures 28 images per second in order to guide the jet to the gaps in your teeth.
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The two stabbings happened about 20 seconds apart, Tisch said.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of second
Noun
  • This one was especially meaningful for 2010 Morton graduate Jimmy McCormack, an experienced assistant, including the previous two seasons as the Trojans’ offensive coordinator.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • O’Leary has helped himself by adding lots of experienced assistant coaches and former head coaches.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of assistant
Noun
  • The City of Fort Worth is also working with the aid organization to help meet residents’ needs.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Wrongful death claim Ortiz failed to stop and render aid, the suit said, driving away from the scene.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of aid
Noun
  • The Jackson campaign had commandeered the green room Bottoms and her aides were supposed to use for the event.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • While aides for the Sussexes insist that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have no plans to become working royals in the future, Harry is said to be hoping to reconcile with his family and spend more time with his father.
    — Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of aide
Noun
  • Prince was able to free the ATV and accelerated toward the deputy, striking him and knocking him to the ground.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Hubble and Webb both have coronagraphs, but Roman’s experimental instrument is 100 to 1,000 times better than any built before, said Bertrand Mennesson, Roman deputy project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of deputy
Noun
  • But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.
    — Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
  • In the months since fellow senior Legion executives suspended Abrahamson without pay from his statewide adjutant job in April, a number of the roughly 8,000 members in Idaho have called for a change in leadership.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2024
Definition of adjutant
Noun
  • Schnurr came to Cincinnati in 2008 as coadjutor archbishop and took over as archbishop about a year later, upon the retirement of former Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk.
    — Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • By 1997, he was named coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires, assuming full leadership of the archdiocese the following year.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of coadjutor

Browse Nearby Words

seconded
second fiddle
second fiddles
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Second fiddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20fiddle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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