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contender

noun con·tend·er \ kən-ˈten-dər \
|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Definition of contender

: one that contends; especially : a competitor for a championship or high honor
  • a heavyweight title contender
  • the leading presidential contenders

See contender defined for English-language learners

Examples of contender in a Sentence

  1. There are several contestants, but only two real contenders.

  2. This latest defeat means that she's no longer a contender for the world title.

Recent Examples of contender from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contender.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of contender

see contend

contender Synonyms

Synonyms

applicant, applier, aspirant, campaigner, candidate, expectant, hopeful, prospect, seeker;

Antonyms

noncandidate;

Near Antonyms

incumbent, officeholder;

awardee, honoree, inductee;

dropout;

Related Words

competitor, contestant, entrant, entry, favorite, qualifier;

dark horse, spoiler, stalking horse;

crown prince, favorite son;

claimant, pretender;

nominee, running mate;

Other General Sports Terms

kegler, mulligan, rappel, turkey

CONTENDER Defined for English Language Learners

contender

noun

Definition of contender for English Language Learners

  • : a person who tries to win something in a contest; especially : a person who has a good chance of winning

CONTENDER Defined for Kids

contender

noun con·tend·er \ kən-ˈten-dər \

Definition of contender for Students

: a person who is in competition with others

Learn More about contender

  1. See words that rhyme with contender Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contender Spanish Central: Translation of contender Nglish: Translation of contender for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of contender for Arabic speakers

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