as in competitors
one who strives for the same thing as another
three contestants will compete on live TV for the cash prize
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Recent Examples of contestants
As part of the hackathon competition, all of the contestants were given the same set of data — a batch of AHL games from two seasons ago — to work with.
—
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
The season starts with 16 single contestants, and the last couple standing not only leaves the boat with a new boo, but gets a $100,000 trip around the world.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Imran’s protestations were not enough, and he was voted off by his fellow contestants — all of whom proceeded to spell his name wrong on their chalkboards.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2026
The contestants wonder if the mystery judges could be culinary heavyweights José Andrés, Thomas Keller or Marcus Samuelsson.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Other contestants offered sympathy as well, with season 17 star Jewels Sparkles responding with a series of broken heart emojis.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
The fun of watching Survivor is seeing contestants wriggle out of seemingly impossible binds through social skills, but when that becomes impossible, the show renders itself only frustrating.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
The reality series on Fox, which sees celebrity contestants don over-the-top disguises and compete karaoke-style, crowned it's champion Wednesday, April 1.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
During the call, the producers reminded the contestants that they are bound by their one-year contracts.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
The season starts with 16 single contestants, and the last couple standing not only leaves the boat with a new boo, but gets a $100,000 trip around the world.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Imran’s protestations were not enough, and he was voted off by his fellow contestants — all of whom proceeded to spell his name wrong on their chalkboards.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2026
The contestants wonder if the mystery judges could be culinary heavyweights José Andrés, Thomas Keller or Marcus Samuelsson.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Other contestants offered sympathy as well, with season 17 star Jewels Sparkles responding with a series of broken heart emojis.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
The fun of watching Survivor is seeing contestants wriggle out of seemingly impossible binds through social skills, but when that becomes impossible, the show renders itself only frustrating.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
The reality series on Fox, which sees celebrity contestants don over-the-top disguises and compete karaoke-style, crowned it's champion Wednesday, April 1.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
During the call, the producers reminded the contestants that they are bound by their one-year contracts.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestants
Noun
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In the first episode’s Elimination Challenge‚ which was focused on North Carolina’s state vegetable, sweet potatoes — Cochran cooked up a pork loin in the kitchen at La Belle Helene that wasn’t quite cooked through, landing her in the bottom three competitors.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
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To help resolve these dilemmas, European industry leaders are calling for government support, including subsidies and tax breaks, to level the playing field with Chinese competitors whose products come at unbeatable prices.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The home opener, especially for non-contenders, serves as a window into the season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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The first debate between presidential candidates occurred on May 17, 1948, when Republican contenders Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen matched wits.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contestants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contestants. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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