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

On the eve of FIFA’s selection show in June of 2022, the joint bid, despite inherent flaws, was still considered a strong contender. —Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025

Here’s the fateful weekly cartoon meeting, where the final 60 contenders (out of 1,000 weekly submissions) get sorted into yes, no, or maybe baskets. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025

The Best Christmas Towns in Arizona Poll is now open, with four contenders on the ballot. —Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 1 Dec. 2025

This year, Darnold and the Seahawks (9-3) are a top playoff contender, while Minnesota is buried in last place in the NFC North. —CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025

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