as in top banana
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Recent Examples of second banana
Riley emerges as an extremely realistic teenage character, one who probably deserves better than being the second banana to a bunch of muppety emotions.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 14 June 2024
First introduced in the ’60s, the Teen Titans are a group of superpowered young ‘uns traditionally led by Batman’s second banana Robin, fighting alongside heroes like Cyborg, Raven, Starfire and Beast Boy.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024
Just as Lone Ranger needed Tonto, so many pop culture icons wouldn't have half their appeal without these top-notch second bananas — see why Chewbacca, Turtle, Willow, and more made the cut.
—Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024
The show was built around Vaughn’s debonair American agent, Napoleon Solo, with Mr. McCallum’s character initially envisioned as little more than a cerebral second banana from the Soviet Union.
—Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for second banana
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 14 June 2024
First introduced in the ’60s, the Teen Titans are a group of superpowered young ‘uns traditionally led by Batman’s second banana Robin, fighting alongside heroes like Cyborg, Raven, Starfire and Beast Boy.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024
Just as Lone Ranger needed Tonto, so many pop culture icons wouldn't have half their appeal without these top-notch second bananas — see why Chewbacca, Turtle, Willow, and more made the cut.
—Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024
The show was built around Vaughn’s debonair American agent, Napoleon Solo, with Mr. McCallum’s character initially envisioned as little more than a cerebral second banana from the Soviet Union.
—Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for second banana
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second banana
Noun
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In Planet of the Apes and for some reason Better Man, these apes are first on the call sheet, Chimps in a Leading Role, top banana.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
15 Jan. 2025
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So which restaurant did Yelp readers declare top banana?—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
21 June 2022
Noun
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Bernabe caught the attention of Twitter gagman and Banana Capital founder Turner Novak, who’s made a name for himself by entwining industry analysis with creative memes on social media.—
Nina Wolpow,
Forbes,
23 Sep. 2021
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Indeed, many New Yorker artists once relied on gagmen.—
Thomas Vinciguerra,
WSJ,
16 Nov. 2018
Noun
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Shortly after Reubens’ death, former costars and fellow comedians shared their condolences and memories of the star.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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The task of the comedian is to turn that pain into laughter.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Shakespeare’s world-weary wags spoke truth to King Lear and other royals, while the heyoka, the holy fool of many Sioux tribes, inverted day-to-day logic to provoke healing laughter.—
Michael Snyder,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
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When it was all said and done and Yorkie gave one final wag of her tail, she was revealed to be Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, singer, and actress Erika Jayne.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His dad loved the humorist Robert Benchley and kept his books in the house.—
Dwight Garner,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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As America’s greatest humorist, his enduring power springs from his core principles that shaped his comedy.—
Paul Harris,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There’s some droll humor in this pileup of bad decisions and bad behavior — particularly in one running gag that sees Carey doggedly befriending Ashley’s parade of exes, including one hilariously gormless f-boy played by drawling ensemble standout Charlie Gillespie.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 May 2025
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Among the latter was John Bainbridge, an author of deadpan, droll Profiles and reported pieces.—
Mark Singer,
New Yorker,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Second banana.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20banana. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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