1
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
a strong contender for the mayoral position
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in competitor
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 contender
The same can’t be said of most other contenders in the National League.
—
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025
Servite could be a state title contender, but despite its sprinter success, the Friars fell short to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame for the Division 3 team title.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
The extravagant international songwriting competition has millions of devoted fans worldwide, with viewers allowed to vote for their favorites in the bid for the top contender (to be verified by officials backstage).
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 May 2025
The Knicks finally look like contenders — like a team that can absorb a haymaker and answer with one even heavier.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025
Servite could be a state title contender, but despite its sprinter success, the Friars fell short to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame for the Division 3 team title.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
The extravagant international songwriting competition has millions of devoted fans worldwide, with viewers allowed to vote for their favorites in the bid for the top contender (to be verified by officials backstage).
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 May 2025
The Knicks finally look like contenders — like a team that can absorb a haymaker and answer with one even heavier.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender
Noun
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Lee said she’s voiced this concern to Johnson before and suggested Asian American candidates for open positions, but they were not selected.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
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But when pollsters read biographies of Democratic candidates, Sage established a slight lead over Ernst.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Rather than developing models from the ground up, these organizations refine and enhance existing AI platforms with unique datasets that competitors lack.—
Dr. TJ Jiang,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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These questions and others like them may have to be answered quickly — and, depending on the answers, the show could look less distinct from its competitors.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 May 2025
Noun
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In honor of the Calgary Stampede, an outdoor rodeo held there since 1912, and its pancake-breakfast tradition, the contestants have to cook a handheld pancake that the judges (and 50 diners!) can eat without utensils.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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The series features a fully interactive format with a live chat feature that allows viewers to engage directly with contestants.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, Alex closed the season by proposing a merger between her struggling network, UBA, and its rival, NBN, after discovering that tech powerhouse and potential UBA buyer Paul was spying on her co-workers.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
28 May 2025
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The Braves will play Trinity League rival Santa Margarita in Friday’s 7 p.m. Division 1 championship game at Cal State Fullerton.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contender. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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