contender

noun

con·​tend·​er kən-ˈten-dər How to pronounce contender (audio)
: 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 Get the latest awards season analysis and hear from the actors, creators, and more who are contenders this season on Entertainment Weekly's The Awardist podcast, hosted by Gerrad Hall. Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 Multiple reports — including from Rivals — suggest the Jayhawks are contenders for McNeeley again. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 My pal Amy Nicholson will no doubt be watching the show and recently wrote a terrific column offering her thoughts about the films and performances that should win on Sunday as well as worthy choices that should have been contenders. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Instead, Muir clung to the belief that Stanford would somehow morph into a contender under Haase when there was zero evidence to suggest that would be the case. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 According to Schumaker the main three contenders are Nick Gordon, prospect Dane Myers and non-roster invitee Jonathan Davis. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Top contenders vying for the position are Democrat Maggy Krell, Republican Nikki Ellis and Republican Preston Romero. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 After achieving an unexpected 10-7 record and earning a playoff appearance, the Rams in the upcoming season will be regarded by some as potential Super Bowl contenders. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The Spirit Awards also featured several of this year’s Oscar contenders among its nominees and presenters, including Brown, Lee, Colman Domingo and the Spirit Awards honorary chair Lily Gladstone. Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contender.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

contend + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contender was in 1547

Dictionary Entries Near contender

Cite this Entry

“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contender. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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