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contestant

noun
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con·​tes·​tant | \ kən-ˈte-stənt How to pronounce contestant (audio) also ˈkän-ˌte- \

Definition of contestant

1 : one that participates in a contest
2 : one that contests an award or decision
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about contestant

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Synonyms & Antonyms for contestant

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • noncompetitor
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Examples of contestant in a Sentence

The contestant who catches the most fish wins. The winning contestants will receive a cash prize.
Recent Examples on the Web Every round, the highest scoring contestant moves on, and the other contestants vote someone out. — Natalie Morin, refinery29.com, "Tituss Burgess Hosts New Netflix Karaoke Show Sing On! That Will Have You Belting From The Sofa," 2 Sep. 2020 Carson Lundell, Ponich’s BYU teammate and a contestant in the round of 16 in the recent U.S. Amateur, also is notably missing. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Ute golfer Mitchell Schow takes first-round lead in State Amateur," 2 Sep. 2020 In the fall of last year, Andrade said the Food Network approached him about potentially being a contestant on the game show. — Shaena Montanari, The Arizona Republic, "Here's how this Arizona chef won $12,000 on Guy Fieri's Food Network grocery store show," 1 Sep. 2020 Robinson was also a contestant on the 28th season of Survivor, Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty, in 2014, becoming the fifth person to be eliminated that season. — Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, "Cliff Robinson, former NBA All-Star and Survivor contestant, dies at 53," 29 Aug. 2020 The reality star was a contestant on season 23 of The Bachelor, starring Colton Underwood, before appearing on season 6 of Bachelor in Paradise last year. — Ally Mauch, PEOPLE.com, "The Bachelor's Hannah Godwin Reveals the Rare Item That Dylan Barbour Wants at Their Wedding," 13 Aug. 2020 After learning about Williams's backstory and hearing the contestant sing on America's Got Talent, judge Simon Cowell couldn't help but get emotional. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'AGT' Judge Simon Cowell Breaks Down Hearing Archie Williams's Heartbreaking True Story," 29 July 2020 Former Bachelor contestant, Dancing With the Stars champ, and Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Melissa Rycroft has quite a few accomplishments under her belt. — Laura Hanrahan, Woman's Day, "Melissa Rycroft Says Treating Her Family's Allergies With Immunotherapy Has Changed Their Lives," 18 Jan. 2020 The remaining celebrities competing on the upcoming season will be announced on GMA on Sept. 2 and the contestant and pro dancer pairings will be revealed during next month's two-hour premiere. — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, "Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean to Join Dancing with the Stars Season 29: 'It's Gonna Be Awesome'," 27 Aug. 2020

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

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First Known Use of contestant

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for contestant

contest entry 1 + -ant entry 1

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Time Traveler for contestant

Time Traveler

The first known use of contestant was in 1665

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Statistics for contestant

Last Updated

13 Sep 2020

Cite this Entry

“Contestant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contestant. Accessed 20 Sep. 2020.

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More Definitions for contestant

contestant

noun
How to pronounce contestant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of contestant

: a person who takes part in a contest

See the full definition for contestant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

contestant

noun
con·​tes·​tant | \ kən-ˈtes-tənt How to pronounce contestant (audio) \

Kids Definition of contestant

: a person who takes part in a competition He's a contestant on a quiz show.

contestant

noun
con·​tes·​tant

Legal Definition of contestant

: one that initiates or participates in a contest

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More from Merriam-Webster on contestant

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contestant

Nglish: Translation of contestant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of contestant for Arabic Speakers

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