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 Carrick’s side are, it must be said, still a way off returning to being talked about as championship contenders. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 One of the top contenders for the AA title, reigning Pan American floor champion Claire Pease opened her night on floor exercise. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026 With the main title contenders initially saving energy for Sunday's tough-looking decisive stage in the hills around Nice, the yellow jersey group let Frenchwoman Maeva Squiban and Dutchwoman Loes Adegeest form a long breakaway. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 The Indiana Fever — a habitual middle-of-the-pack franchise, 14 years removed from its only championship — have been on a hot streak on the court lately that has carried them up among the championship contenders. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 The dueling leadoff home runs between the top two National League MVP contenders were just the beginning of the fireworks in the Cubs’ 7-6 victory to sweep the Dodgers. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 His Republican contenders Heather Shelton trailed with about 20% of the vote and Scott Vincent Vera secured about 5% of the vote. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 Once the world of soccer is no longer in the immediate wake of the equity venture controversy, more contenders could emerge. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contenders
  1. candidates
  2. competitors
  3. contestants
  4. rivals
  5. challengers
Noun
  • But the other main parties called it a stunt and refused to take part, leaving Farage running against an assortment of independents, jokers and single-issue candidates led by Count Binface, a comic space alien with a trash can on his head.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And the issue is front-and-center in this year's primaries as candidates eye the Democratic and Republican nomination for an open Senate seat.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of candidates
Noun
  • Mahnken said that Disney has one advantage over its competitors, even in an uncertain economy.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Klobuchar handily won the Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary Tuesday with no major competitors.
    — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of competitors
Noun
  • There’s also the opportunity to be the one to win the $500,000 grand prize out of the 24 DUNKMAN contestants.
    — Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Now, is using paper towels a little lackluster compared with last year’s Abbott Elementary crossover challenge, where the contestants had to use school supplies?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of contestants
Noun
  • Not that Tottenham Hotspur appear willing to consider an approach from their neighbours and bitter rivals for their captain, let alone sanction a sale.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The race for the Democratic nomination is fast becoming crowded with a pack of possible rivals for the former Chicago mayor that are polling far higher than him, including Govs.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of rivals
Noun
  • After months of sharp clashes, the winners of Tuesday’s primaries are now pivoting for another round of battles against new challengers in the November election.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Mecklenburg’s most interesting races are concentrated in the Charlotte suburbs, where shifting demographics and the influence of national politics have the potential to endanger incumbents and give challengers a chance, Heberlig said.
    — Mary Ramsey August 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 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 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on contenders

Nglish: Translation of contenders for Spanish Speakers

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