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 Stars Tom Holland and Zendaya are also involved in campaigns for other 2026 contenders like The Odyssey and Dune 3 and Holland is in pre-production on a new film, so their availability going forward is not known. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2026 Johny Srouji, Apple's chief hardware officer Tim Cook is not the only Apple employee seen as a contender for the role. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 12 Nov. 2026 Patrick Reed, third in the standings and the other realistic title contender, failed to turn around his recent slump in form and shot 75. — ABC News, 12 Nov. 2026 But prior to today’s announcement, analysts had already suggested that Kress, an Nvidia veteran of more than a decade who has deep knowledge of the business and is well-known by investors, would be a top contender for CEO. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender

Noun

Its brand had never quite recovered from the 2016 campaign, when it was thought to have tipped the scales against then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
Shapiro, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, made the comment while speaking with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press days after his party retook the House and the Senate in resounding fashion.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of candidate

Noun

In an age of endless content, a true story may be the one thing a competitor cannot copy.

— Kylie Slavik, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
Doncasters' exposure to the industrial gas turbine market as a percentage of revenue is greater in comparison to its larger competitors, Rothschild & Co noted in July.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of competitor

Noun

Lo wore both of them as a contestant on Top Chef, in an homage to his dad.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2026
Danielle Fishel, the former Dancing With The Stars contestant who got booted from the show last year, says female competitors generally have a tougher time winning over judges than male dancers.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of contestant

Noun

The Bruins have won four straight against Arizona and lead the all-time series with their former Pac-12 rival 67-25.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026
Some of Nvidia's biggest rivals, such as Broadcom, Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, saw their shares advance Thursday following Huang's departure as investors predicted that its customers will look to diversify their suppliers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of rival

Noun

The challenger lost some momentum when stories revealed his past as a gay bondage model.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026
The result of last month’s Israeli election is still being ironed out, but Netanyahu’s bloc failed to get a majority and his main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, has now been asked to form a government.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2026