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contestant

noun

kən-ˈte-stənt How to pronounce contestant (audio)
Definition of contestantnext
as in competitor
one who strives for the same thing as another three contestants will compete on live TV for the cash prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contestant Tocantins Her stint on Survivor may not have lasted long, but the first Tocantins boot continued to make news when Redemption Island contestant David Murphy proposed to her during his season’s live reunion show. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026 The contestants’ individual interviews with Alan at the beginning of the season aren’t just exposition for viewers; they’re actually used by the producers to determine who the first Traitors should be. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026 Her attorney, Joseph Ciaccio, says that the suit is about accountability and keeping contestants safe. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 Her testimony on Wednesday in the case of the American Idol contestant accused of murdering his wife was absolutely unreal. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contestant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestant
  1. competitor
  2. contender
  3. challenger
  4. rival
Noun
  • But newspaper people ought to stand in solidarity with our broadcast brethren/competitors in this incredibly small-minded and grudging clash between the White House and the Washington press corps.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • As figures like Goldberg publicly champion micro-practices, expect competitors to release bite-sized modules designed to fit between meetings or before opening a stressful email.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of competitor
Noun
  • Rosalind Eleazar’s name continues to be floated around as a Best Actress contender for Chris Rock’s Misty Green — our Alison Willmore calls the film an outstanding showcase for her talents, even if the film itself doesn’t have much to say.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The Montclair Film Festival has unveiled the complete lineup for its 2026 edition, bringing a slate of international premieres, awards season contenders, documentaries and independent films to New Jersey.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of contender
Noun
  • Dereck Counter is the incumbent, while Jacob Boyce is the challenger.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Security is another top-of-mind issue that favors the challenger, who has promised an approach modeled after El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.
    — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of challenger
Noun
  • Meta and Apple are fierce rivals, and on Wednesday, the Facebook creator upped the ante by announcing new lightweight virtual reality glasses that make Apple’s Vision Pro headset look like bulky old tech.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Many of them, including Ned and his childhood friend and rival, Roland, are scarred by their time as youth players, haunted by memories of the sadistic coaches and cruel, competitive fathers who terrorized them both on and off the court.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

contestable
contestant
contestants
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contestant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contestant. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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