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

And Barrera acknowledged that CTA independent spending in the primary had pushed him to the front of a crowded field of competitive Democratic contenders. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Below are the current contenders on the Tentative List, according to the National Park Service. — Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

In some cases, the contenders have made statements many Jews perceive as antisemitic or who have alliances with personalities known for statements widely viewed as antisemitic. — Tovah Lazaroff, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

The first was a platform launch of festival favorite and awards contender La Bola Negra three weeks ago, followed by The Mosquito Bowl this past weekend. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Nov. 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