CONTESTANT Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

contestant

noun

kən-ˈte-stənt

Definition of contestant

as in competitor

one who strives for the same thing as another three contestants will compete on live TV for the cash prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 contestant The annual pumpkin regatta will take place Sunday, with contestants carving giant pumpkins into boats and paddling them across the park’s small lake. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Caleb Flynn, the former American Idol contestant accused of fatally shooting his wife, has been found guilty of murder. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026 An Ohio jury has returned multiple guilty verdicts against former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn in the February murder of his wife Ashley Flynn. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026 Bear 132 has become one of the largest and most experienced mother bears at Brooks River, according to her contestant profile. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contestant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestant

Noun

The Cook Mixer then selects which competitors will step forward and take on the challenge.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Can community banks effectively compete with outsized competitors offering aggressive rates and new account incentives?

— Brian Reilly, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of competitor

Noun

These five rising, behind-the-scenes maestros have worked on major hits for such likely 2027 contenders as Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande and Rosalía — and could be first-time nominees in the category.

— Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Boehringer has pitched the medicine as a way to help patients lose fat while preserving muscle, but without an edge, the drug becomes just one more contender in an increasingly crowded market dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of contender

Noun

Questions remain over how the Premier League could create competitive balance, given the vast differences in spending ability between its biggest clubs and smaller challengers.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2026
The abundance of peep toes and funky shapes on the runway can be partly credited to a new wave of challenger brands, raising the bar for fresh, off-kilter footwear.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenger

Noun

As with other aspects of the company, Lauder is continually forging new ways of working to increase speed-to-market and give it a competitive edge over rivals.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Mayor Johnson has attracted criticism from his 2027 rivals for not distancing himself from Dominguez.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

contestable

contestant

contestants

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“Contestant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contestant. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contestant

noun

Example Sentences

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