contender

noun

con·​tend·​er kən-ˈten-dər How to pronounce contender (audio)
Synonyms of contendernext
: one that contends
especially : a competitor for a championship or high honor
a heavyweight title contender
the leading presidential contenders

Synonyms of contender

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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.
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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.
Decatur is a contender to land its third straight UIL championship. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026 While the top two contenders hail from the same movie, a separate oddity might open the door for another supporting actress to earn two nods in the category. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 The majority have no chance of making it into the 120-seat Parliament — but a quirk of the Israeli election system ensures that even the most obscure contenders get their moment in the political limelight. — Lia Lapidot Aaron Boxerman and Lia Lapidot, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2026 The Mustangs are a definite state-title contender, but the Bengals know how to win in the postseason after last year’s run to the semifinals. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contender

Word History

Etymology

contend + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contender was in 1547

Rhymes for contender

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Browse Nearby Words

contend
contender
contend with
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Cite this Entry

“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contender. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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