second only to

idiom

: only less important than (something or someone)
Rice is second only to corn as the state's major crop.

Examples of second only to in a Sentence

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But then performing on the Tony Awards is a high spot in every Broadway performer’s career — the stuff of dreams, really, and second only to delivering one of those cringe-y acceptance speeches. Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025 Detroit finished Wednesday second only to the Yankees in the American League with a plus-84 run differential. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 30 May 2025 In 2023, the first season of The Last of Us landed 24 Emmy nominations, second only to the final season of HBO’s Succession, winning eight trophies. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 May 2025 Dogs show affection in various ways, but the main signs that your dog loves you include bringing you gifts, greeting you eagerly, sleeping in your bed, putting you second only to food, looking at you in the eyes with love, and following you around. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for second only to

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“Second only to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20only%20to. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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