contender

noun

con·​tend·​er kən-ˈten-dər 

: one that contends

especially : a competitor for a championship or high honor

a heavyweight title contender

the leading presidential contenders

Synonyms

• candidate

Examples of contender in a Sentence

There are several contestants, but only two real contenders.

This latest defeat means that she's no longer a contender for the world title.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are 15 games left, and some potential AFC contenders sharing their own struggles. —Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025

Everyone is tired of seeing legit Cup contenders play in Round 1 while soft matchups move on. —Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

Some honorary mentions There are other fintechs that look like potential IPO contenders further down the line — but the trajectory looks less clear. —Ryan Browne, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025

Perennial championship contender the Alabama Crimson Tide came in a close second with an average cost of $295 to have a full game-day experience in Bryant-Denny Stadium. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

contend + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contender

• bartender
• defender
• engender
• extender
• offender
• pretender
• provender
• surrender
• suspender
• transgender
• bender
• blender