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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of contender
Expecting one offseason to transform the Giants back into contenders is unfair to Daboll and Schoen both.
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Howard Megdal, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
So far, no movies have broken out as front-runners and there are plenty of very different contenders in play.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
The team was a playoff contender because the competitive equity rankings count not just wins and losses, but strength of schedule.
—Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2024
If a couple of blockbusters do come to fruition before Sasaki is posted, the idea of Boston as a championship contender may not seem so farfetched.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contender 
Howard Megdal, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
So far, no movies have broken out as front-runners and there are plenty of very different contenders in play.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
The team was a playoff contender because the competitive equity rankings count not just wins and losses, but strength of schedule.
—Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2024
If a couple of blockbusters do come to fruition before Sasaki is posted, the idea of Boston as a championship contender may not seem so farfetched.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender
Noun
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The candidates will have three more forums this month to make their case to DNC members about their chair candidacy.Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
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As the candidate associated with the incumbency, Vice President Harris struggled to make a compelling economic pitch to voters.Erin Doherty, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The latter were upset that Forward had essentially acquired a freight forwarding competitor.Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2025
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The first step businesses must take is to stop thinking about digital experiences as a competitor to the real world, designed to increase time on a screen.Olof Schybergson, Fortune Asia, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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So there's the idea of former history of the contestants.EW.com, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025
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The contestants lowered Rob first, followed by Derrick and lastly, Wes, for a total of $15,000 and a chance at earning three shields.Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The four-episode series, which launches Jan. 21 on the Roku Channel, will feature guests Logan Paul, Jelly Roll, Travis Barker and Cena’s former WWE rival, the Miz.Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
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The gang would often drive around town looking for rivals to kill, according to federal prosecutors, sometimes in broad daylight and often by luring or ambushing their victims.Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contender. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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