contestant

noun

kən-ˈte-stənt How to pronounce contestant (audio)
Definition of contestantnext
as in competitor
one who strives for the same thing as another three contestants will compete on live TV for the cash prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 contestant The host and showrunner begins the post by vouching for the reward food provided to contestants. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2026 The show’s Australia series has been criticized for subjecting contestants to potentially harmful situations, including a man who had a history of domestic abuse allegations. — Doha Madani, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026 It was also concluded that the nature of the production, which isolates contestants from friends and family while filming, could cause cast member to make poor choices. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026 Originally cast in 2023 as a contestant for the K-pop reality show that formed Katseye, she was booted out early partly because—despite becoming a fan favorite in Netflix’s subsequent docuseries—the judges sensed she was destined for solo stardom. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contestant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestant
  1. competitor
  2. contender
  3. challenger
  4. rival
Noun
  • In an age of endless content, a true story may be the one thing a competitor cannot copy.
    — Kylie Slavik, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Doncasters' exposure to the industrial gas turbine market as a percentage of revenue is greater in comparison to its larger competitors, Rothschild & Co noted in July.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of competitor
Noun
  • He is considered a contender for more senior leadership positions in the Senate and among the many Democrats seen as potential 2028 candidates for the White House.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The closing-night slot follows a program that brings together a number of this year’s awards contenders.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of contender
Noun
  • The challenger lost some momentum when stories revealed his past as a gay bondage model.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The result of last month’s Israeli election is still being ironed out, but Netanyahu’s bloc failed to get a majority and his main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, has now been asked to form a government.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of challenger
Noun
  • But now, after El-Sayed’s defeat of GOP rival Mike Rogers was confirmed early Wednesday, there is a pervasive sense that a broader victory is at hand.
    — Jacqueline GaNun, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • As Democrats blew away their Republican rivals in an unprecedented midterm sweep Tuesday, the Make America Health Again movement also got bowled over, raising questions about the fate of the motley movement.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

contestable
contestant
contestants
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contestant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contestant. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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