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 top tier consists of Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana, the Big Ten’s three national championship contenders. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Those films became major Oscar contenders after scoring raves in Venice. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 Asking this team to go out and win a national title might be a bridge too far, but Florida was a darkhorse Playoff contender this time a year ago. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Ballmer has pledged to invest heavily in making the team a championship contender, but the few hopeful signs have been fleeting. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender

Noun

If the week 1 drubbing at LSU was a harbinger of doom for Dabo Swinney at Clemson, what does his stock as a coaching candidate look like?

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The Republican National Committee announced on Saturday the full list of keynote speakers who will stump for Republican candidates at the midterm elections convention next week.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of candidate

Noun

Although regarded as one of the smaller competitors on the circuit, at a mere 6ft 3ins and around 24st, Bishop is still regarded as one of Britain’s best strongmen, with a record in the deadlift of 470kg.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
None of this happened by accident, and the proof is in the long list of former Dell competitors from its founding era, who have faded into oblivion.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of competitor

Noun

Chuangsri won out of a field of 108 contestants in the pageant, which last year was held in India’s southern Hyderabad city.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
The contestants will have to design a wedding dress that showcases their style, and the winning design will be produced and sold by David’s Bridal.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of contestant

Noun

However, depth in the secondary remains a focal point, as young talent and new additions like Styles will be tested early against division rivals.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Additionally, Volkswagen has faced fierce competition from Chinese rivals as domestic manufacturers such as BYD and Geely gained ground in electric vehicles and challenged its longstanding position in the market.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of rival

Noun

As, it should be said, has Vardy, with Burnley manager Nicky Hayen, when asked about his new signing’s qualities, pretty much describing the sort of variety that Wrexham need to add up front to become genuine challengers for automatic promotion.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The Tigers already defeated potential CFP challengers UNLV 27-21 on the road.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026