second best
A straightforward loanword meaning the runner-up or the next best option after the top choice.
彼は大会でセカンドベストだった。
He was second best in the tournament.
このプランはセカンドベストだが、十分実用的だ。
This plan is second best, but it's practical enough.
Variant with interpunct; less common but seen in some contexts.
Borrowed from English 'second best'.