contender
noun
con·tend·er
kən-ˈten-dər 
: one that contends
especially
: a competitor for a championship or high honor
a heavyweight title contender
the leading presidential contenders
Synonyms
Examples of contender in a Sentence
There are several contestants, but only two real contenders.
This latest defeat means that she's no longer a contender for the world title.
Recent Examples on the Web
Upside is something the Nationals and White Sox are hoping for with a pitcher not a contender.
—
David O'Brien, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
Find out which of the contenders who were nominated will win or lose at the Golden Globes ceremony Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Notably, James Murdoch — once considered a contender to take over the family business — resigned from the board of News Corp. in 2020, citing disagreements over editorial content published by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.
—Sara Fischer, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
Soto will fit in nicely with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor as well as budding young talent, including Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez, making the Mets a World Series contender now and in the future.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contender 
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.
David O'Brien, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
Find out which of the contenders who were nominated will win or lose at the Golden Globes ceremony Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Notably, James Murdoch — once considered a contender to take over the family business — resigned from the board of News Corp. in 2020, citing disagreements over editorial content published by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.
—Sara Fischer, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
Soto will fit in nicely with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor as well as budding young talent, including Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez, making the Mets a World Series contender now and in the future.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contender
Dictionary Entries Near contender
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contender. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share