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
With the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions both Super Bowl contenders, N.F.L. fans in Canada have two border city teams to cheer for.
—
Ian Austen, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Those contests surround a Patriot League schedule that consists of Division 2 contender Whitman-Hanson and Duxbury as well as fellow Fisher Division challenger Pembroke.
—Matt Feld, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2025
Now, the task gets dramatically more difficult against a bona fide Super Bowl contender in front of the feisty Lions fans at Ford Field.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Adam Peters did not write a how-to front-office guide, though a career spent with Super Bowl-winning franchises and title contenders has the makings of a solid outline.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contender 
Ian Austen, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Those contests surround a Patriot League schedule that consists of Division 2 contender Whitman-Hanson and Duxbury as well as fellow Fisher Division challenger Pembroke.
—Matt Feld, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2025
Now, the task gets dramatically more difficult against a bona fide Super Bowl contender in front of the feisty Lions fans at Ford Field.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Adam Peters did not write a how-to front-office guide, though a career spent with Super Bowl-winning franchises and title contenders has the makings of a solid outline.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender
Noun
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The Jets interviewed 15 candidates for their general manager role and 16 for their coaching position.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2025
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After missing out on Morgan, USC set out on a months-long search that yielded several candidates from the NFL front office ranks, according to a person familiar with those discussions.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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America’s competitors and adversaries are under real and growing pressure, even as their greater isolation draws them closer together.—
Jake Sullivan,
TIME,
20 Jan. 2025
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Think big, think strategically – Rather than trying to keep pace with competitors, outmaneuver them.—
Forbes,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The host, 50, took a tumble on a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune after a contestant guessed the correct answer in the final seconds of the bonus round and got overly excited.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
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And competing for this five million dollars are these one-thousand contestants.—
Naomi Fry,
The New Yorker,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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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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
Thesaurus Entries Near contender
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contender. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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