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
According to The Jerusalem Post, senior Hamas figures Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Mashaal are the contenders, with Hayya seen as the favorite because of his popularity in Gaza and his role in the West Bank.
—
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
The re-signing of Maiava by the Trojans already counts for one of the biggest wins of the offseason, as the junior could be a dark horse Heisman Trophy contender next year.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Dec. 2025
Irish star Jessie Buckley is a major 2026 awards season contender, thanks to her turn as Agnes in Hamnet.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2025
This year, the staff discussed and debated hundreds of contenders for the Ultimate Gift Guide in our Giving Issue.
—John Vorwald, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
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Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
The re-signing of Maiava by the Trojans already counts for one of the biggest wins of the offseason, as the junior could be a dark horse Heisman Trophy contender next year.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Dec. 2025
Irish star Jessie Buckley is a major 2026 awards season contender, thanks to her turn as Agnes in Hamnet.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2025
This year, the staff discussed and debated hundreds of contenders for the Ultimate Gift Guide in our Giving Issue.
—John Vorwald, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contender
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contender. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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