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
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 good news for the Rebs is a split of their trips to Georgia and Oklahoma would leave them in excellent shape heading into November, where a stretch drive that is comparatively easier than that faced by their fellow league contenders awaits.
—
Erick Smith, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
The cast and creatives from nine leading awards contenders appeared over the weekend at the in-person-only event, which unspooled at London’s Ham Yard Hotel.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
Sitting at 4-1 on the season, Pittsburgh appears to be a true contender in the AFC with Aaron Rodgers under center, who has brought a level of poise to the quarterback position that was desperately needed.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Additional contenders from the contemporary side include Lil Baby (WHAM), Lil Tecca (Dopamine), Key Glock (Glockaveli), Billy Woods (Golliwog), Travis Scott (Jackboys 2), Metro Boomin (A Futuristic Summa), Future (Mixtape Pluto) and Offset (Kiari).
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
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Erick Smith, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
The cast and creatives from nine leading awards contenders appeared over the weekend at the in-person-only event, which unspooled at London’s Ham Yard Hotel.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
Sitting at 4-1 on the season, Pittsburgh appears to be a true contender in the AFC with Aaron Rodgers under center, who has brought a level of poise to the quarterback position that was desperately needed.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Additional contenders from the contemporary side include Lil Baby (WHAM), Lil Tecca (Dopamine), Key Glock (Glockaveli), Billy Woods (Golliwog), Travis Scott (Jackboys 2), Metro Boomin (A Futuristic Summa), Future (Mixtape Pluto) and Offset (Kiari).
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contender. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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