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

Increasing the fields in the NCAA (basketball) Tournament or the College Football Playoff hasn’t improved the viewing experience or changed the contender picture. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Texas Attorney General candidates Middleton, the Republican contender for Texas Attorney General, used his time to highlight the importance of the sheriff in counties. — Rachel Royster july 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026

Shah eventually lost to Schweikert, but could be a contender again this year. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Geographically, Illinois is emerging as a serious contender in the global quantum landscape. — Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 22 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