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

• applicant
• applier
• aspirant
• campaigner
• candidate
• expectant
• hopeful
• prospect
• seeker

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

Biden quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who had been one of many names floated as a possible contender for the nomination alongside Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and several other Democratic governors across America. —Diamy Wang, Detroit Free Press, 22 July 2024

He was also seen by some as a potential presidential or vice presidential contender if Biden were to step aside this year, or as a potential candidate in a future presidential election. —Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2024

This tease of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival comes a few days after word that the Sundance Institute has come down to a final six contenders, as far as the city that will house the festival from 2027 onward. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 July 2024

The other question circulating among pundits, pollsters, journalists, strategists, and regular folks is whether Harris would be a stronger presidential contender than Biden. —Christian Paz, Vox, 21 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

contend + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined above