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 Moore, who is widely viewed as a potential 2028 presidential contender, submitted an essay focused on closing the racial wealth gap and Black Americans’ history of economic advancement in the face of adversity. — Matt Brown, Fortune, 30 July 2026 But if a contender needs a hard-nosed, do-it-all weapon for a playoff push, don't be surprised if his phone rings. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 There are fewer major studio debuts at film festivals this year—but buzzy projects about Rupert Murdoch, Elon Musk, and To Catch a Predator could wind up being Oscar contenders. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026 Newsom, a likely 2028 presidential contender, has begun arguing for a federal wealth tax that the rich could not escape by moving to a new state. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for contender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender

Noun

Two Democratic candidates are challenging the Republican incumbent, who has held office for five terms.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
In Texas, moderate Republicans supported a shift in a state election regulatory process that required influencers paid more than $100 to post on behalf of a candidate to append disclosures.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of candidate

Noun

In February, Baresi was one of the torchbearers for the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, appearing alongside former Inter Milan and Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi, his longtime rival on the pitch.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Elizabeth chooses Bobby as her rival; the mustang is left as their muse.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026

Definition of rival

Noun

Ethan O’Connor seems well positioned for one of those jobs, and the prime challengers for the other are Damari Brown (whose availability is always a question because of the troublesome foot issue) and impressive second-year player Ja’boree Antoine.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
His leading challenger is Daniel Keenan, a construction-company founder and a former forklift operator.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 July 2026