1
as in candidates
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 competitors
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 contenders
From box office blockbusters to festival darlings, the race offers no shortage of contenders—and no single film has emerged as the definitive frontrunner.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025
Other contenders included the Pioneers, Steers, Stars, Mokans, Tornados, Mavericks, Bulls, Plainsmen, Wranglers, Mohawks, Hunters and Scouts.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025
Possible contenders are exploring taking Johnson on, and the list grows by the day.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
For now, contemplating the improbable (a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup) boasts three contenders.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Expecting one offseason to transform the Giants back into contenders is unfair to Daboll and Schoen both.
—Howard Megdal, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
This article is updated regularly as Oscar contenders enter theaters and streaming services.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Also, Memphis is a little short on floor spacers compared to other contenders, and Brown doesn’t help from his position.
—Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
At the very least, there should be one or two contenders that consider adding Ingram to the mix for a title run without a clear plan for his next contract.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025
Other contenders included the Pioneers, Steers, Stars, Mokans, Tornados, Mavericks, Bulls, Plainsmen, Wranglers, Mohawks, Hunters and Scouts.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025
Possible contenders are exploring taking Johnson on, and the list grows by the day.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
For now, contemplating the improbable (a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup) boasts three contenders.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Expecting one offseason to transform the Giants back into contenders is unfair to Daboll and Schoen both.
—Howard Megdal, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
This article is updated regularly as Oscar contenders enter theaters and streaming services.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Also, Memphis is a little short on floor spacers compared to other contenders, and Brown doesn’t help from his position.
—Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
At the very least, there should be one or two contenders that consider adding Ingram to the mix for a title run without a clear plan for his next contract.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contenders
Noun
-
Johnson was on track to fall short of winning the speakership on the first ballot after three of his fellow Republicans voted for other candidates.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Ensure all candidates undergo the same level of scrutiny.—
Kenneth Coats,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
For example, an agency with a proprietary tool that checks your content’s ranking against your competitors will grant you a significant advantage.—
Bar Maimon,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Two eyewitness competitors tell Rolling Stone that members of the group refused to leave Toronto for multiple days, having numerous meetings with production staff and their lawyers in an attempt to roll back the results.—
Steven Asarch,
Rolling Stone,
26 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
So the games go on, with all eyes on Gi-hun and an accompaniment of fellow contestants, allies and enemies alike.—
Josh Wigler,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The Front Man, detective Jun-ho and the Squid Games recruiter (Gong Yoo) are all set to return for the second season while being joined by a brand new cast of contestants including Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Jo Yu-ri, Lee David and many more.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Several other more moderate Republicans lost to challengers who ran to the right of them in the GOP primary.—
Ian Max Stevenson,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Other potential challengers include Jordi Termes, the founder of Spanish payments app Bizum.—
Dermot Corrigan,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near contenders
Cite this Entry
“Contenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contenders. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share