CONTESTANT Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

contestant

noun

kən-ˈte-stənt

Definition of contestant

as in competitor

one who strives for the same thing as another three contestants will compete on live TV for the cash prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 contestant Patsy, a former beauty pageant contestant who won Miss West Virginia in 1977, encouraged her daughter’s participation in pageants, and JonBenét won a number of contests. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026 But putting together contestants for each season is much more involved than a quickfire challenge. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 Included in this group of accomplished contestants are runners from all over the United States and even a Japanese import (Finger). — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 For the in-person tournaments, only 150 eligible contestants will be selected to attend, based on a first-come-first-serve basis, according to official contest rules. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contestant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestant

Noun

But Patel observed that many of the robotic competitors were still being teleoperated by human operators who directly controlled the robots’ actions.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026
That is 35 films the two studios are already planning as independent competitors before any merger occurs.

— Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of competitor

Noun

Here’s a closer look at the remaining meetings between division contenders.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The schedule ahead will brings more challenges; the Dragons face championship contenders North Crowley and Allen before District 4-6A play.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of contender

Noun

College sports’ current arms race of money, along with unrestricted transfers, is threatening to shut out rising challengers like UConn football, with rich teams now dangling lucrative offers and raiding talent like never before.

— U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
David Roth, the Democratic candidate for Risch’s seat, dropped out of the race in July, leaving Achilles as Risch’s primary challenger.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenger

Noun

Games against the division rival Sabres and Canadiens also will be televised nationally.

— Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Anthropic’s primary tech industry rival, ChatGPT maker OpenAI, made its own deal to work with the Pentagon just hours after the government punished Anthropic for its stance.

— Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

contestable

contestant

contestants

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Style

“Contestant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contestant. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of contestant

noun

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