A second-place finish refers to achieving the runner-up position in any competitive event. There are several synonyms for a second-place finish, including silver medal, first-runner up, second-best, and first loser. A silver medal is a physical representation of a second-place finish in an athletic competition. First-runner up typically refers to the person or team that places second in a beauty or talent competition. Second-best indicates a close second-place finish, while first loser can be interpreted as a more negative way of acknowledging a second-place finish. No matter the word choice, a second-place finish is still a notable accomplishment, and should be celebrated accordingly.