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

Larson was one of the four drivers including Hamlin, Chase Briscoe and William Byron in contention for the title, but Larson managed to finish in third position, ahead of the other three contenders to claim the championship. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025

Kyle Larson was well behind Denny Hamlin as the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race was coming down to the final laps on Sunday evening at Phoenix Raceway, but fellow contender William Byron caused a caution when one of his tires blew. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025

All of these artists except Laufey are strong contenders for Grammy nominations for best new artist. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025

After weeks of voting and several adorable contenders in our Cutest Dog in Fort Worth contest, one pup stood out among the rest. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 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