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 of contender

• 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

The word-of-mouth buzz around the series, which premiered in April, intensified each week leading up to its finale last month and prompted chatter around its prospects as a major Emmys contender. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

The series proceeds from a premise that immediately calls to mind the darkly comic horror movie The Substance, an underdog 2024 Best Picture contender that earned Oscar nominations for both its director, Coralie Fargeat, and its star, Demi Moore. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026

This is the group that paved the way for three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances from 2023 to 2025, championships in 2024 and 2025 and has Florida among the perennial contenders for the Cup for years to come. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026

Among the potential contenders to take his place is Troy Jackson, the former Democratic president of the Maine state Senate (an exploratory committee filed official paperwork on his behalf). — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 8 July 2026

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