contender
noun
con·tend·er
kən-ˈten-dər 
: one that contends
especially
: a competitor for a championship or high honor
a heavyweight title contender
the leading presidential contenders
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
But Democrats are encouraged that Shawn Harris came closer than any recent Democratic contender in the deep-red district.
—
Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
In a state with more than 23 million voters and hugely expensive media markets, the money signaled Mahan would be a contender.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Candidates in these races were the top two vote-getters in races in which none of the three or more contenders won more than 50% of the votes on March 3.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026
Getty Images The Toronto Blue Jays earned a win against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday to take their latest series from the American League contender and carry some momentum into a showdown with the New York Yankees.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for contender
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Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
In a state with more than 23 million voters and hugely expensive media markets, the money signaled Mahan would be a contender.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Candidates in these races were the top two vote-getters in races in which none of the three or more contenders won more than 50% of the votes on March 3.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026
Getty Images The Toronto Blue Jays earned a win against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday to take their latest series from the American League contender and carry some momentum into a showdown with the New York Yankees.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for contender
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contender. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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