FINALIST Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

finalist

noun

Definition of finalist

as in champion

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Dissimilar Words

as in semifinalist

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 finalist Also new, Fidan Novruzova, the Central Saint Martins graduate with Azerbaijani roots and a Moldovan upbringing, who was selected as a semi-finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2024. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 24 July 2026 The Ravens waived Heisman Trophy finalist Diego Pavia yesterday. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 24 July 2026 After a 10-month renewal by Kevin Kay Restorations in 2018, the Aston returned to Pebble Beach the following year, where it was named a Best of Show finalist. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 July 2026 Incredibly, neither finalist was able to beat the Blue Sharks in 90 minutes of soccer – the nation also held Spain to a 0-0 draw in its opening group-stage fixture, much to the dismay of the above Spanish editor. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for finalist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for finalist

Noun

Two of the defending champions — Marist and Jefferson — will go head-to-head in Class 5A this year after Jefferson moved up one level during the GHSA’s most recent reclassification.

— Chip Saye, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
The restaurateur and wife of NBA champion Stephen Curry is set to star in a new movie.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Definition of champion

Noun

And twice a James Beard Award semifinalist, Hanna would change his tune on fine dining once COVID-19 and inflated food prices upended the industry.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
On his way to reaching his first tour-level final in eight years, Damir Džumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina ran into it during his quarterfinal against Italy’s French Open semifinalist Matteo Arnaldi.

— James Hansen, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of semifinalist

Noun

But not this year, as the entire team is shut out despite being the reigning champs.

— Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 30 July 2026
The 2026 edition was a showdown between Kentucky Oaks (opening leg of the Triple Tiarra) winner Always A Runner and Acorn Stakes (third leg and sister to the Belmont Stakes) champ Counting Stars.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of champ

Noun

Most of the early mining there consisted of placer mining — extracting minerals from sand and gravel in river beds — and mining declined during the Civil War.

— John Meyer, Denver Post, 26 July 2026
Its breakout star is Parker Schnabel, a thirty-one-year-old who runs a placer mine in the Yukon that brought in fifty-one million dollars last year.

— Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Definition of placer

Noun

That will be Cancelo and Jules Kounde, though Xavi Espart is another option in addition to a multifunctional World Cup winner in Eric Garcia.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
There are other accomplished sprinters in the peloton, but her dominance this season is akin to five-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar (21 wins this year) on the men’s side.

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of winner

Noun

One stronghold after another has fallen to the ruthless conqueror Nobunaga Oda—often celebrated as the first great unifier of Japan but here cast as a largely offscreen mega-villain.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Topuria, for his part, has vowed to run it back with Gaethje, praising his conqueror while promising the story between them is far from over.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Definition of conqueror

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“Finalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finalist. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of finalist

noun

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