CONTESTANT Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

contestant

noun

kən-ˈte-stənt

Definition of contestant

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 Other contestants this season include Food Network host Giada De Laurentiis, Summer House’s Ciara Miller, Jimmy Kimmel Live sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, and musician Taylor Hanson. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 Alternatively, take your pick from the five onsite restaurants—spanning Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese, and European cuisines—overseen by former Top Chef contestant Chef Christian Bravo. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Some of the crew still see the show as something to be proud of, even if the contestants were traumatized by it. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026 Numerous contestants alleged that their careers suffered as a result of early exposure on what was considered low-brow, early-aughts reality TV. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contestant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestant

Noun

If Skydance increases spending on content, that could push its competitors to also invest more, Laurent Yoon, senior analyst at the research and brokerage firm Bernstein, told me.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Headquartered just outside Paris, the 128-year-old French giant is using this platform to prove that traditional European brands can out-innovate the incoming tide of Asian competitors.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of competitor

Noun

Trezavant Boyd and James Perrone are both contenders for the Nat Moore Trophy, an award recognizing South Florida's top high school football player.

— CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Fest director Susan Koch is landing more and more top Oscar contenders and talent every year, as well as Oscar pundits to cover them.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of contender

Noun

Bound for Glory pay-per-view to answer Moose’s open challenger.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The government’s refusal to make public key agreements related to the refinery has been criticized by opposition leaders, including one of Ruto’s main challengers, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

— Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenger

Noun

And that could be exactly what the Horned Frogs need to snap their rival’s four-game winning streak.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026
Democrats are more than happy to draw those connections, pummeling their Republican rivals for standing by a president who is unpopular with so many voters.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

contestable

contestant

contestants

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Contestant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contestant. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contestant

noun

Example Sentences

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