1
as in candidates
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
a strong contender for the mayoral position
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in competitors
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of contenders
Next, your votes whittled the field of contenders to the Top 10 picks.
—
Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
The more teams that are legitimate playoff contenders each year in that conference, the better.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
Bedoya offers insights on this year’s biggest contenders, plus gives his favorites, sleepers and a look at Team USA’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the Cup.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
In Reunited, Vanity Fair hosts a conversation between two awards contenders who have collaborated on a previous project.
—Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 11 June 2026
Here are the leading contenders for full-time roles based on interviews with several sources at CBS News who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
But his reign was brief, when he was bested by one of Wednesday's contenders after a $0 wager.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
The two contenders beat out reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who was running as an independent.
—Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026
Emerson also asked respondents about 2028 presidential contenders.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
The more teams that are legitimate playoff contenders each year in that conference, the better.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
Bedoya offers insights on this year’s biggest contenders, plus gives his favorites, sleepers and a look at Team USA’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the Cup.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
In Reunited, Vanity Fair hosts a conversation between two awards contenders who have collaborated on a previous project.
—Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 11 June 2026
Here are the leading contenders for full-time roles based on interviews with several sources at CBS News who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
But his reign was brief, when he was bested by one of Wednesday's contenders after a $0 wager.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
The two contenders beat out reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who was running as an independent.
—Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026
Emerson also asked respondents about 2028 presidential contenders.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contenders
Noun
-
The mayor is banking on his popularity with working class New Yorkers and his antipathy towards Israel to put his candidates over the top.—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Part of it is Republican candidates trying to appease independent voters.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
By graduating from a 17-company backlog of pending CFTC applications submitted in the past year, ProphetX has gained a momentary edge over direct competitors that haven’t been approved yet.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
16 June 2026
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Fox is acquiring the streaming and device giant for $22 billion, the two companies announced Monday, in an acquisition that earns Fox a new set of media competitors and raises thorny questions.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
In the wake of the docuseries landing on Netflix earlier this year, several previous contestants and judges have spoken out about their time on the show and working with Banks in particular.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
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The long-running series, hosted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, pits four contestants against each other in a challenge that combines grocery shopping and high-stakes cooking.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
There followed a series of European successes (Italy, Spain, Germany, France) before the anguish, for Brazilians, of seeing big South American rivals Argentina win a third world title in Qatar four years ago.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
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Newsday via Getty Images The Atlanta Braves entered the season expecting to face a significant challenge from their division rivals, particularly after the New York Mets revamped their own roster with several star additions.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Season 42 continues on Monday with Adam Remsen returning as champion to face two new challengers.—
USA TODAY Staff,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
There were no challengers running against him.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contenders. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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