CONTENDER Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

contender

noun

kən-ˈten-dər

Definition of contender

as in candidate

one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award a strong contender for the mayoral position

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in competitor

one who strives for the same thing as another several contenders competing for the title of the city's best Italian restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contender The Brewers, however, are among the current contenders least suited to October baseball. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Like other right-wing presidential contenders across Latin America, most recently in Colombia and Peru, Kast has invoked Bukele as a model for his own promises to fight organized crime. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 The former vice presidential nominee noticeably didn't endorse either contender in this primary. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 Read on for the top contenders in the category and plenty more besides. — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender

Noun

Another candidate, 27-year-old progressive organizer and substitute teacher Elijah Manley, said Republicans’ redistricting ploy is not Wasserman Schultz’s fault.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
But there are only so many roster spots, and Berrios has emerged as a likely candidate to secure one given his versatility on special teams.

— Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of candidate

Noun

Higgins was joined by Rausch and fellow Season 4 contestants Monét X Change, Tara Lipinski, Lisa Rinna, Rob Cesternino and Eric Nam for the Deadline conversation.

— The Deadline Team, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
The finale features four contestants competing on an American Ninja Warrior–style course, and the other 116 competitors lined up behind them in patriotic jerseys.

— Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of contestant

Noun

But keeping their promotion rivals at bay most definitely was, Parkinson’s men conceding 24 times in those dozen games, 16 of which came on Welsh soil.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Chinese rivals Baidu Apollo Go and WeRide, meanwhile, are ramping up plans and tests for operating autonomous rides in Europe.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026