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
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Recent Examples of contenders
Moore spoke at the Maryland statehouse for the premiere of NPR's Newsmakers, a new video podcast featuring high-profile interviews with leaders across society, from business figures to athletes to presidential contenders.
—
Steve Inskeep, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
The state's liberal majority is split among eight Democratic contenders.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Their performance is stoking a rising sense of anxiety among Democrats as their vote splinters among a field of eight contenders, with the head of the state party calling on low-polling candidates to quit by April 15.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Hello there, seven-member Public Campaign Finance Board (with four Dems and three Republicans), state law was thankfully changed last year and no longer do LG contenders run on their own.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Following the new Grand Sport’s surprise appearance at the recent 12 Hours of Sebring, the Corvette team has officially unveiled a pair of podium contenders for its famously loyal fans.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2026
Three of the top four contenders in the Daily Racing Form’s top 20 ranking of Kentucky Derby hopefuls are entered for Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile race at Gulfstream.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Does Waddle make the Broncos Super Bowl contenders?
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Spartans are almost always contenders but have not cut down the nets since 2000.
—Steve Kornacki, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Steve Inskeep, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
The state's liberal majority is split among eight Democratic contenders.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Their performance is stoking a rising sense of anxiety among Democrats as their vote splinters among a field of eight contenders, with the head of the state party calling on low-polling candidates to quit by April 15.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Hello there, seven-member Public Campaign Finance Board (with four Dems and three Republicans), state law was thankfully changed last year and no longer do LG contenders run on their own.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Following the new Grand Sport’s surprise appearance at the recent 12 Hours of Sebring, the Corvette team has officially unveiled a pair of podium contenders for its famously loyal fans.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2026
Three of the top four contenders in the Daily Racing Form’s top 20 ranking of Kentucky Derby hopefuls are entered for Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile race at Gulfstream.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Does Waddle make the Broncos Super Bowl contenders?
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Spartans are almost always contenders but have not cut down the nets since 2000.
—Steve Kornacki, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contenders
Noun
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Sacramento's League of Women Voters, which does not endorse candidates, says the voting method is a nonpartisan way to improve elections.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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While Protect Wyoming is necessarily focused within the state and on state politics, rather than federal candidates, its work stands to influence nonresidents who hunt, fish, and recreate in the state.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the first episode’s Elimination Challenge‚ which was focused on North Carolina’s state vegetable, sweet potatoes — Cochran cooked up a pork loin in the kitchen at La Belle Helene that wasn’t quite cooked through, landing her in the bottom three competitors.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
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To help resolve these dilemmas, European industry leaders are calling for government support, including subsidies and tax breaks, to level the playing field with Chinese competitors whose products come at unbeatable prices.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During the call, the producers reminded the contestants that they are bound by their one-year contracts.—
Rebecca Keegan,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Jordan also describes stereotyping on set, recalling producers reducing her to racial tropes, while adding that Black contestants who approached Barker would sometimes be met with visible discomfort.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Dublin congressman told KRON that the White House hopes to discredit him in the race as a frequent critic and to boost the chances of his Republican rivals.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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But, despite the lightning speed at which the Chinese AI industry is moving, it’s still seen to be playing catch-up with its American rivals.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite significant criticism for her handling of the city’s 2025 wildfires, LA mayor leads in her race for re-election, a new poll shows, in part due to the fact that top-tier challengers decided not to run.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
On the June 2 primary ballot, Weber faces three challengers.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contenders. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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