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Definition of contender

contender

/kənˈtɛndər/
con · tend · er
Adverb:contentiously
•
Plural:contenders
•
Adjective:contentious
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contender Lexical Profile

contender Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person, team, or group competing with others to achieve something, such as a championship, title, or position of leadership.

Example

"After winning three consecutive tournaments, she is widely considered the top contender for the national championship."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for contender

• Nearby Words

contemptuous
contemptuously
contend
contender
content
contented
contentedly

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the verb contend plus the agent suffix -er, ultimately from Latin contendere ('to stretch out, strive after, or compete'), formed from com- ('together') and tendere ('to stretch').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Contender. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/contender
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