contender

1 one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award a strong contender for the mayoral position Synonyms applicant, applier, aspirant, campaigner, candidate, expectant, hopeful, prospect, seekerRelated Words competitor, contestant, entrant, entry, favorite, qualifier; dark horse, spoiler, stalking horse; crown prince, favorite son; claimant, pretender; nominee, running mateNear Antonyms incumbent, officeholder; awardee, honoree, inductee; dropoutAntonyms noncandidate

2 one who strives for the same thing as another several contenders competing for the title of the city's best Italian restaurant Synonyms challenger, competition, competitor, contestant, corrival, rivalRelated Words archrival; finalist, semifinalist; also-ran, entrant, entry, player; adversary, antagonist, opponentAntonyms noncompetitor