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

Every season, true fashion lovers obsess over the new assortment of Bottega bags on the runway—and for spring, there were plenty of hot contenders. — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

With just a week left for the 2026 Ballon d'Or award ceremony, top contenders Lamine Yamal (FCB), Rodri (FCB), and Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) will be itching to deliver statement performances and stake their claim. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026

Every team that gets votes from at least three members is included in the overall pool of contenders eligible to be ranked. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

But the next generation of potential White House contenders is getting in on the action, too. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 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