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

Mbappé’s two biggest contenders for this year appear to be Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal and Bayern Munich star Harry Kane. — Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

The Rams see themselves back on course as a Super Bowl contender. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

This year, with The Odyssey and Project Hail Mary representing the majority of Oscar-contending performances already in the mix, space is wide open for new contenders to catch fire during festival season and blaze all the way to the Oscars in March. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Oregon was stunned by Oklahoma State, just two weeks ago, leading to real questions about whether the Ducks are the Playoff contender they were made out to be. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 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