1
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
a strong contender for the mayoral position
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in competitor
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 contender
In a depleted Eastern Conference that feels up for grabs after superstar injuries derailed Indiana and Boston’s title ambitions next season, Atlanta is quietly positioning itself to become a contender.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 July 2025
Measure each contender or confirm its specs with the manufacturer, suggests Davis.
—Dina Cheney, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
The Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur will enter the 2025 NFL season as a team many expect to be a contender in the NFC.
Led by Jordan Love, the offense looks to be explosive with elite young talent at the wide receiver position.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Catherine Parenteau, currently ranked fourth in women’s singles and a top-five contender across doubles and mixed doubles, didn’t set out to become a professional pickleball player.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 July 2025
Measure each contender or confirm its specs with the manufacturer, suggests Davis.
—Dina Cheney, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
The Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur will enter the 2025 NFL season as a team many expect to be a contender in the NFC.
Led by Jordan Love, the offense looks to be explosive with elite young talent at the wide receiver position.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Catherine Parenteau, currently ranked fourth in women’s singles and a top-five contender across doubles and mixed doubles, didn’t set out to become a professional pickleball player.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender
Noun
-
On Tuesday, two state legislators joined the crowded field of Democratic candidates looking to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
Led by Stanford PhD candidate Jared Moore, the team reviewed therapeutic guidelines from organizations including the Department of Veterans Affairs, American Psychological Association, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
What really sets Four Seasons apart from many of its competitors in the Boise area is a focus on dishes from Northern China.—
Michael Deeds
July 7,
Idaho Statesman,
7 July 2025
-
There are other competitors in this field, including Boston Dynamics.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
The Jamaican-Canadian cover girl first captured global attention in 2014 as a contestant on cycle 21 of the iconic modeling competition, America’s Next Top Model.—
Bryanna Symone,
Essence,
9 July 2025
-
One of 13 people who made the allegations included Kirsty Wark, the former BBC Newsnight presenter who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The same could be said for other states threatened by nuclear-armed rivals.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contender. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share