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

Relevance

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 One of the strongest contenders who could challenge Reyes is Mia Donadio, who returns with the experience of participating last year in Miss Universe Cuba. — Sarah Moreno july 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 All of the focus this weekend, though, will be about the fight on the field between two title contenders. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026 Cleveland and Miami are both reportedly courting a James reunion, while Philadelphia, Minneapolis and San Francisco inserted themselves as strong contenders. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 16 July 2026 Adam Leventhal Tuchel was hired at great expense by the FA because he was supposed to be the man capable of transforming England from contenders into champions. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026 See IndieWire’s full list of 2026 Emmy predictions, complete with frontrunners, contenders, and long shots on our website. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 15 July 2026 While the official list of final contenders remains under wraps as the city screens the entries, the public will get its first look at the proposals when the survey launches Saturday. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 The World Cup’s final week is expected to pack a punch as the global field of contenders is winnowed to two. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 July 2026 Sorting out the contenders, however, was as unpredictable as the weather. — ABC News, 11 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contenders
  1. candidates
  2. competitors
  3. contestants
  4. rivals
  5. challengers
Noun
  • Authorities arrested presidential candidates, opposition figures, business leaders and journalists ahead of that vote as the government intensified its criminalization of dissent.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • Thank you for the analysis and recommendations of the candidates for judges on our ballots.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
Definition of candidates
Noun
  • The White House said Canada’s policies gave foreign competitors an unfair advantage.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
  • When more competitors can access similar capabilities, the advantage shifts to the quality of the context, evidence and judgement behind the work.
    — Danny Philamond, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of competitors
Noun
  • Of those 10 contestants, five will be eliminated at the end of this episode.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • The contestants had 50 minutes to make a dessert of their choice.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Definition of contestants
Noun
  • Collins also enters the general election campaign with a ground-game network that was the envy of his GOP rivals.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Among rivals, the Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Nissan Kick, Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Corolla Cross all have merit.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
Definition of rivals
Noun
  • Feely will either face Democratic primary challengers former state legislator Amish Shah and Marlene Galán-Woods, a former television news anchor endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 22 July 2026
  • Residents have 10 challengers to choose from – including rapper and activist Luther Campbell and former Broward County mayor Dale Holness – making their decision even more complicated.
    — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 22 July 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 25 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on contenders

Nglish: Translation of contenders for Spanish Speakers

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