FINALISTS Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

finalists

noun

plural of finalist

as in placers

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in semifinalists

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 finalists Gilgeous-Alexander — the reigning NBA MVP — is one of the finalists for this year’s top individual honor, along with Denver’s Nikola Jokic and the Spurs’ Wembanyama, who is also a finalist for defensive player of the year. — Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 Auriemma, Ralph named Coach of the Year finalists UConn coach Geno Auriemma was also named a finalist for Naismith Coach of the Year on Wednesday. — Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026 Miguel had brought Reina’s résumé to Nakia as one of two finalists, the other finalist being a guy who had done a year at Le Cordon Bleu. — Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for finalists

Noun

Outside of winning golf’s Grand Slam, repeating as Super Bowl champs is the hardest feat in sports.

— Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Others like Washington, Iowa and Illinois frequently fly under the radar as tough places to play, and home games in Bloomington are going to reach a whole new level now that the Hoosiers are defending champs.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of champs

Noun

The sluggish job market has shut out new entrants and left people like Ruiz feeling stuck.

— Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
In parallel, a new wave of entrants, including HiddenLayer, Sysdig, and Tonic Security, are adding to a diversity of AI security solutions that are designed to thwart the weaponization of frontier AI.

— Will Townsend, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of entrants

Noun

Skubal also issued two walks and hit a batter with a pitch in just his second career appearance at Dodger Stadium, taking the mound nine days after the defending champions acquired him from Detroit in the biggest trade of the deadline.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Wednesday’s game pits French champions and Champions League winners PSG against Premier League side Villa, who lifted the Europa League courtesy of a 3-0 win over Freiburg.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of champions

Noun

This is the annual meeting between the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League, serving as a curtain-raiser to the new season.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The Powerball jackpot neared $1 billion after no winners emerged during Monday night's draw.

— Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of winners

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finalist

finalists

finalities

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“Finalists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finalists. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of finalists

noun

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