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
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Recent Examples of contenders
Ferrandis, 31 and from France, is considered the longshot of the seven contenders.
—
Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Across 2025-26, there are few outstanding contenders — a reflection upon, at least as far as the Premier League is concerned, a Newcastle campaign riddled with inconsistency and underperformance (for the most part).
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The race also includes nine additional candidates, including community advocates, attorneys, entrepreneurs and neighborhood activists, though recent polling suggests Bass, Pratt and Raman have emerged as the contest’s dominant contenders heading into Election Day.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 29 May 2026
If a handful of contenders recruit the 35-year-old Montenegrin, his friendship with Jokic should give Denver an upper hand.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Emerson also asked respondents about 2028 presidential contenders.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The leading contenders for the GOP endorsement are Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell and businessman Kendall Qualls.
—Liz Christy, CBS News, 28 May 2026
If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote on Sunday, May 31, the two leading contenders will face each other again in a runoff on June 21.
—Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
By any interpretation, Euphoria had established itself as one of HBO’s top-performing awards contenders.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 22 May 2026
Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Across 2025-26, there are few outstanding contenders — a reflection upon, at least as far as the Premier League is concerned, a Newcastle campaign riddled with inconsistency and underperformance (for the most part).
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The race also includes nine additional candidates, including community advocates, attorneys, entrepreneurs and neighborhood activists, though recent polling suggests Bass, Pratt and Raman have emerged as the contest’s dominant contenders heading into Election Day.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 29 May 2026
If a handful of contenders recruit the 35-year-old Montenegrin, his friendship with Jokic should give Denver an upper hand.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Emerson also asked respondents about 2028 presidential contenders.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The leading contenders for the GOP endorsement are Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell and businessman Kendall Qualls.
—Liz Christy, CBS News, 28 May 2026
If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote on Sunday, May 31, the two leading contenders will face each other again in a runoff on June 21.
—Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
By any interpretation, Euphoria had established itself as one of HBO’s top-performing awards contenders.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contenders
Noun
-
The Dodgers had Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker and Smith — none of whom were candidates to be pulled for a pinch-hitter — due up in the ninth.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
-
Gleason’s push to make political connections in Idaho, and beyond, appears to revolve around backing candidates who support legislation that helps advance the gold and silver sales and storage industries.—
Kevin Fixler
June 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The gaming division has been squeezed by competitors such as PlayStation and Nintendo, whose Switch consoles are some of the most popular on the market (PlayStation 5 also dominates).—
Sebastian Herrera,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
-
The downside is that base plans cost more than most competitors.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
United by a Love of Food and Cooking While keeping track of 100 contestants may seem like a lot, there will be plenty for the viewers at home to root for and relate to.—
Better Homes & Gardens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2026
-
Higgins was among the first contestants announced for Dancing with the Stars' 35th season alongside Summer House star Ciara Miller.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
During the course of the series so far, the two best teams in baseball had become the bitterest of rivals, the animosity between them fueled by the Cubs’ treatment of their teammate Mark Koenig, a versatile infielder who’d been traded from the Yankees in mid-season.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
James Adams, a political science professor at UC Davis, said that Becerra and Bass coming through indicates the centrist Democratic candidates were in a stronger short-term position than their rivals.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Season 42 continues on Monday with Peter Mcferrin returning as champion to face two new challengers.—
USA TODAY Staff,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
County Assessor Claude Parrish, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen and Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Friedenrich all led their challengers by more than 70% of the vote.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contenders. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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