finalist

noun

Definition of finalistnext
1
as in champion

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in semifinalist

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Dissimilar Words

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 finalist His first novel, In the Distance, was a finalist for the Pulitzer, and his latest, Ply (Riverheard), set in the future, comes out today. — Riza Cruz, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026 Erin Traynor is a two-time finalist who made it to the baking stage in 2018 with her almond coffee cookies and in 2019 with her drunk uncle cookies. — Kayla Samoy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026 The Camping House was named a finalist in the Architizer A+Awards and won a 2026 Red Dot Design Award for Design Concept. — New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026 Venable was a finalist for the Royals managerial opening in 2023 that went to Matt Quatraro. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for finalist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finalist
  1. champion
  2. semifinalist
  3. champ
  4. placer
  5. winner
  6. conqueror
Noun
  • Which means the Knicks have yet another team positioning itself as a roadblock on their journey to repeat as NBA champions — a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since the Wizards last cracked the 40-win mark.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Haloed in distorted guitar and jagged synths, Wolf comes off as a champion of her own avoidance, her heroism charmingly pathetic.
    — Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of champion
Noun
  • Drastic Measures was a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar in 2024 and 2026 and advanced to finalist in 2023 in the same category, and Sanders in 2025 was a semifinalist in a new category, Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, for Wild Child.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Crooked Ram At The Crooked Ram, 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist chef Tiara Adorno turns Vermont and New England ingredients into a menu that changes with the seasons, alongside a strong lineup of natural wines, craft beers, and cocktails.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of semifinalist
Noun
  • Still, Indiana fought hard to save their season against the reigning champs, headlined by Clark's raw grit.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Since 2001, 16 different franchises have won the World Series—that’s more than half the league, and more than the number of unique NHL champs (14), NFL champs (13) and NBA champs (13) in that span.
    — Molly Geary, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of champ
Noun
  • Most of the early mining there consisted of placer mining — extracting minerals from sand and gravel in river beds — and mining declined during the Civil War.
    — John Meyer, Denver Post, 26 July 2026
  • Its breakout star is Parker Schnabel, a thirty-one-year-old who runs a placer mine in the Yukon that brought in fifty-one million dollars last year.
    — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Definition of placer
Noun
  • Its winner, whether filmmaker or rights holder, will give the platform an exclusive license to show the film for a limited period.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Take a resident who voted for only one of the 10 winners but for two of the slate’s three candidates.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of winner
Noun
  • Located at the junction of three continents—Europe, Asia, and Africa—the region has historically been a crossroads for conquerors, peoples, trade, and ideas.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In life, and in the novel, the German conquerors in their splendid uniforms make debonair remarks, as the French cultural and social figures who frequent the bar—collaborators—are thrilled to remain close to power.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of conqueror

Browse Nearby Words

finales
finalist
finalists
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Cite this Entry

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

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