runners-up
UKˈrʌnəz ˈʌpUSˈrʌnərz ˈʌp
Meaning
1n.
亚军；第二名（runner-up的复数形式）
Usage
The runners-up will receive silver medals and cash prizes.
亚军将获得银牌和现金奖励。
After the intense competition, the runners-up congratulated the winners with genuine sportsmanship.
激烈角逐后，亚军们以真正的体育精神向冠军表示祝贺。
Though disappointed to be runners-up, the team vowed to come back stronger next season.
虽然获得亚军令人失望，但该队誓言下个赛季将以更强姿态回归。
Etymology
这个复合词源自体育竞赛术语，字面意为"跑上来的人"。在早期比赛中，指紧跟在冠军之后到达终点的竞争者。runner保留其"参赛者"的本义，up则暗示"接近顶端但未达顶点"的状态。复数形式通过常规的-s后缀构成，整体生动描绘了在竞赛中紧随冠军之后的群体形象。