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 of contender

• candidate

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

Zhang’s jury will assess 13 contenders, handing out prizes for best film, best director, special jury prize, best actor and artistic contribution. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

As for what to make of Guadagnino and the film itself as Best Director and Best Picture contenders, respectively, that is really in the hands of audiences. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026

Because the second year of Powell’s two-year, $44 million deal is a team option, he could be dangled at the trade deadline to a contender that needs a shooter. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Like Beshear, several other 2028 contenders are going on multistate tours to show up for candidates across the country. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

contend + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contender

• bartender
• defender
• engender
• extender
• offender
• pretender
• provender
• surrender
• suspender
• transgender
• bender
• blender