contenders

noun

plural of contender
1
as in candidates
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 competitors
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 contenders In a defining game that many thought would expose problems masked by UCLA’s early-season success, the Bruins — though imperfect — vociferously announced their arrival to the college football world as legitimate playoff contenders. — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 By the end of spring, four main contenders emerged in sophomores Buchanan and SJ Alofaituli and freshmen Congdon and Jackson Cantwell. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 Fall is when studios love to drop some of their juiciest awards-season contenders. — David Faris, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 2026 Eventually, Universal figured the field in supporting was open enough to allow both contenders to co-exist. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 Pop singer-songwriters Audrey Hobert and Malcolm Todd are both looking like strong contenders for nominations — which, on its face, is not exactly earth-shaking. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 Both teams are undefeated and considered national championship contenders. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 These five rising, behind-the-scenes maestros have worked on major hits for such likely 2027 contenders as Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande and Rosalía — and could be first-time nominees in the category. — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026 The institute’s annual watch list is one of the sources that most informs pundits and punters about the top contenders. — Mark Lewis, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contenders
  1. candidates
  2. competitors
  3. contestants
  4. rivals
  5. challengers
Noun
  • The potential candidates will also hear more cynical arguments in favor of running no matter what.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Kristin Pawlik and Wendy Howerton garnered the most votes among the three candidates in the March nonpartisan judicial race, but neither got more than the 50% required to win outright.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of candidates
Noun
  • The Cook Mixer then selects which competitors will step forward and take on the challenge.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Apotheke Bergamot Tangerine Candle Unlike its competitors, Apotheke uses 15–18% fragrance oils (more than three times the amount commonly used in scented candles).
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of competitors
Noun
  • While traditional family recipes and regional specialities are at the heart of the competition, contestants are pushed outside their comfort zones through challenges inspired by fine dining, street food and international cuisines.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In the long-running web series, hosts interview everyday consumers on the street and then negotiate massive product discounts directly with company bosses, securing bargains for contestants.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of contestants
Noun
  • At the same time, overall guitar sales have been in slight but years-long decline so growth has to come at rivals’ expense.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • As with other aspects of the company, Lauder is continually forging new ways of working to increase speed-to-market and give it a competitive edge over rivals.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of rivals
Noun
  • Questions remain over how the Premier League could create competitive balance, given the vast differences in spending ability between its biggest clubs and smaller challengers.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This story focuses on the election for the nonpartisan Soil and Water Conservation District, which features incumbent Barbara Bleiweis and challengers Michael Betterly, Mackenzie Pearce and Long Tran.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of challengers

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Cite this Entry

“Contenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contenders. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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