contender

con·tend·er

noun \-ˈten-dər\

Definition of CONTENDER

: one that contends; especially : a competitor for a championship or high honor <a heavyweight title contender>

Examples of CONTENDER

1. There are several contestants, but only two real contenders.
2. This latest defeat means that she's no longer a contender for the world title.

First Known Use of CONTENDER

1547

Related to CONTENDER

Synonyms: applicant, applier, aspirant, campaigner, candidate, expectant, hopeful, prospect, seeker

Antonyms: noncandidate

Related Words: competitor, contestant, entrant, entry, favorite, qualifier; dark horse, spoiler, stalking horse; crown prince, favorite son; claimant, pretender; nominee, running mate

Near Antonyms: incumbent, officeholder; awardee, honoree, inductee; dropout

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other General Sports Terms

kegler, mulligan, rappel, turkey

Rhymes with CONTENDER

amender, ascender, attender, auslander, bartender, commender, defender, descender, emender, engender, expender, extender, fork-tender, goaltender, hellbender, intender, offender, pretender, surrender, suspender, tailender, transgender, weekender