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
This year, the race feels far less assured for far fewer contenders.
—
EW.com, 7 July 2025
That cannot keep happening if the Packers are going to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
But the Avs were not viewed as a Cup contender, and the Nuggets missed the playoffs the year prior.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 July 2025
Certainly a platform like Apple TV+ would love to break that streak, but this year’s contenders suggest that probably won’t be happening.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
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EW.com, 7 July 2025
That cannot keep happening if the Packers are going to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
But the Avs were not viewed as a Cup contender, and the Nuggets missed the playoffs the year prior.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 July 2025
Certainly a platform like Apple TV+ would love to break that streak, but this year’s contenders suggest that probably won’t be happening.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 July 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 10 Jul. 2025.
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