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

There’s no shortage of contenders. —Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026

By the time Vachon left after seven seasons, the Kings were a perennial playoff contender. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Believed to be a top playoff contender in the American League, the Red Sox struggled early and were the last team in MLB to win three games. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

Swalwell, who had been one of the leading contenders in the California governor's race, suspended his bid on Sunday as calls from several high-profile fellow House Democrats and other continued to grow. —Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 12 Apr. 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