1
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
a strong contender for the mayoral position
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of contender
The Lincoln Nautilus is an underappreciated contender in the luxury midsize SUV market, part of a brand that seems tired, itself part of an automaker that seems perpetually distracted, itself part of an automotive ecosystem that is awash in luxury midsize SUVs from very, very tough competitors.
—
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
Miami is projected to finish second in the Atlantic Coast Conference to Clemson and by most accounts are seen as a contender for the 12-team College Football Playoff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged Eovaldi’s Cy Young contender status and the impact he’s had on this team.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025
The two Big 12 rivals are both contenders for this year's conference crown, and the winner will take a step forward and maybe enjoy a Guinness or two before heading back across the pond.
—Erick Smith, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
Miami is projected to finish second in the Atlantic Coast Conference to Clemson and by most accounts are seen as a contender for the 12-team College Football Playoff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged Eovaldi’s Cy Young contender status and the impact he’s had on this team.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025
The two Big 12 rivals are both contenders for this year's conference crown, and the winner will take a step forward and maybe enjoy a Guinness or two before heading back across the pond.
—Erick Smith, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender
Noun
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Jim Walden, independent candidate for New York City mayor, on Tuesday dropped out of the race while calling on other hopefuls to get behind the second-most popular choice in an effort to defeat New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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The candidate attends a one-week selection process and a 10-week training program.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But on Friday, after losing in straight sets to Alcaraz, having done so to Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic, the archest of arch-competitors, effectively hoisted the white flag.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Meeting other competitors from across the country and hearing their stories has given Parker a deeper appreciation for our country.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In 2024, the competition was delayed a week after one of the contestants was fatally mauled by a rival bear with the attack seen on the live webcams.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Also notable among the contestants were Aleida Josefa Pérez from Chinandega, chosen as Miss Elegance; Nahomy Hill from South Caribbean Coast, who was awarded Best Body; Massiel Cordoba from Masaya was Miss Popularity; and Yarimeth Gutiérrez from Nueva Segovia won Miss Congeniality.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But the Packers dominated a team that’s become one of their biggest rivals in recent years.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Sinner and Alcaraz’s nominally closest rival is Djokovic, who reached the semifinals of all four majors this year, and did at least post that one victory against Alcaraz.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Arizona-Utah local president Amanda Melby undoubtedly won her race, also against two challengers, with 120 votes (nearly 70% support).—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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Districts 2 and 7 do not have primary elections since respective incumbents Malcolm Graham and Ed Driggs do not have challengers whose names will appear on the ballot.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contender. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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