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

• 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

Shifts in voter sentiment, unexpected political events and each contender’s capacity to unite or expand the Democratic base will likely determine who ultimately secures the nomination. —Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025

The filmmaker is currently gearing up for the French release on November 12 of his 2025 Cannes Palme d’Or contender Eagles of the Republic. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025

The week also began to make the playoff contenders clearer. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025

The inaugural Adriatic Film & TV Awards (AFA Awards) have been handed out to honor the region’s best achievements in film and television, with Croatian Oscar contender Fiume o morte! —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 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