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

The heavy hitters in space telescopes are about to be joined by a new contender. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 June 2026

While his path to a starting spot appears unlikely, the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year and 2026 AL MVP contender is a strong candidate to be added when reserves and backups are selected by players and the Commissioner’s Office. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2026

The final shift from contender to champion requires prioritizing conditioning over outcomes. — Melissa Dawn Simkins, Fortune, 22 June 2026

Beyond being viewed as presidential contenders, Khanna and Ocasio-Cortez are closely watched figures on the left, but their endorsement strategies differ noticeably. — Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 22 June 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