CONTENDERS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

contenders

noun

plural of contender

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

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

noncompetitors

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contenders Once the world of soccer is no longer in the immediate wake of the equity venture controversy, more contenders could emerge. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 1 Aug. 2026 Stanek has spent enough time around the league to understand why contenders value experienced bullpen arms on short-term contracts and the Cardinals might have originally picked him up with the hopes of moving him at this point. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 But there are sure to be contenders that will view him as a solid upgrade or depth piece, and if the big names like Tarik Skubal get moved with days or hours to spare, the Giants figure to have a little more juice to squeeze. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026 There are fewer major studio debuts at film festivals this year—but buzzy projects about Rupert Murdoch, Elon Musk, and To Catch a Predator could wind up being Oscar contenders. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026 Following a tumultuous term that saw the last Jackson County Executive recalled from office, Jackson County residents will choose from a crowded primary field of contenders for the county’s top seat on August 4. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026 Without him, the Heat will enter the season facing odds longer than a handful of top contenders - a group of top contenders that now includes Philadelphia. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026 Without an incumbent or clear front-runner, the states that vote first could once again play an outsized role in determining which candidates gain momentum, attract donors and emerge as viable contenders. — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contenders

Noun

In an interview with the online political pundit Hassan Piker, Gray said that Socialist candidates should run in seats that will flip blue.

— Jack Harvel July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
At free, Louisiana Tech transfer Jacob Fields and Jordan Lester are the two primary candidates to know.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026

Definition of candidates

Noun

Rather than chasing architectural trends or attempting to imitate newer competitors, the Rose Bowl has embraced a strategy rooted in financial discipline, adaptive reuse and authentic placemaking.

— Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Companies like Nike, Starbucks and General Motors have seen their sales plummet in China, as domestic consumers instead turn to high-quality and affordable local competitors.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Definition of competitors

Noun

Several Premier League clubs, including local rivals Sunderland, have shown the merits of buying youngsters from abroad and developing them.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Ironically, Hugging Face had to rely on a free Chinese AI model to thwart this attack – because OpenAI and US rivals jealously guard their own.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivals

Noun

At this early stage in the competition, Saldivar and the other challengers were focused on redressing the most severe trauma to their synthetic dummies, or zombie heads, as they’re sometimes called to the chagrin of more discreet undertakers.

— John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has both Republican and Democratic challengers in his bid for a second term.

— Jack Harvel July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Definition of challengers

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contender

contenders

contending

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Style

“Contenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contenders. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of contenders

noun

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