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
Beltran’s other restaurant, the Michelin-recommended The Gibson Room, is also a contender.
—
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
Generally considered a strong contender for the best game in the series by fans, it was developed not by Bethesda, but Obsidian Entertainment, a company founded by ex-members of Interplay and Black Isle Studios, developers of Fallout 1 and 2.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
With the team having been a perennial contender in the league, and being a giant-slayer in last year’s playoffs, Gunn’s players are well-regarded by opponents.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Think Christian McCaffrey in 2017, who was a legitimate MVP contender and was an overtime period away from leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Netflix's Shirley has all the makings of an Oscar contender on paper.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Lord Maynard Llera of celebrated Melrose Hill restaurant Kuya Lord is L.A.’s only contender in the category for best chef: California this year.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The book, a contender for the Fallon Book Club, the Tonight Show's March Madness-style book club, is rich with all the possibilities the world can hold.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
While the Panthers would probably love to have a player the caliber of Higgins, the cost of such a trade and a new contract would be pretty pricey for an organization that is several players away from being viewed as a contender.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
Generally considered a strong contender for the best game in the series by fans, it was developed not by Bethesda, but Obsidian Entertainment, a company founded by ex-members of Interplay and Black Isle Studios, developers of Fallout 1 and 2.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
With the team having been a perennial contender in the league, and being a giant-slayer in last year’s playoffs, Gunn’s players are well-regarded by opponents.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Think Christian McCaffrey in 2017, who was a legitimate MVP contender and was an overtime period away from leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Netflix's Shirley has all the makings of an Oscar contender on paper.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Lord Maynard Llera of celebrated Melrose Hill restaurant Kuya Lord is L.A.’s only contender in the category for best chef: California this year.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The book, a contender for the Fallon Book Club, the Tonight Show's March Madness-style book club, is rich with all the possibilities the world can hold.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
While the Panthers would probably love to have a player the caliber of Higgins, the cost of such a trade and a new contract would be pretty pricey for an organization that is several players away from being viewed as a contender.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contender.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near contender
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contender. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share