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 In the book, Donaldson appears as a mentor figure to some of the younger contestants, who grew up watching him on YouTube. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Audiences in Canada and Singapore will also be able to stream a new format, India Ka Top 1 Percent, hosted by major star Anil Kapoor, which tests contestants’ logic and reasoning. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 There’s always at least one Love Island USA contestant who divides viewers, and for Season 8, that person was Melanie Moreno. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026 Restaurant chefs and contestants in TV food competitions make mastering how to chop an onion look so easy (and fast). — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contestant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestant
  1. competitor
  2. contender
  3. challenger
  4. rival
Noun
  • Although regarded as one of the smaller competitors on the circuit, at a mere 6ft 3ins and around 24st, Bishop is still regarded as one of Britain’s best strongmen, with a record in the deadlift of 470kg.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • None of this happened by accident, and the proof is in the long list of former Dell competitors from its founding era, who have faded into oblivion.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of competitor
Noun
  • Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space company and a key supplier for the Vulcan rocket, appeared for a time to be the leading contender for buying up United Launch Alliance.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Buckeyes and Longhorns face off for the third straight season in a matchup of national title contenders.
    — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of contender
Noun
  • As, it should be said, has Vardy, with Burnley manager Nicky Hayen, when asked about his new signing’s qualities, pretty much describing the sort of variety that Wrexham need to add up front to become genuine challengers for automatic promotion.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The Tigers already defeated potential CFP challengers UNLV 27-21 on the road.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of challenger
Noun
  • After rolling over their division rivals, the plan for the flight back was more simple.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The eighth edition of the Sunset Showdown lasted long after the sun went down — about four hours and 10 minutes later — before host Palisades prevailed 56-50 over crosstown rival Brentwood in four overtimes.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 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 Sep. 2026.

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