contender
One who competes
A contender is someone competing for something—a title, prize, or position.
The word implies genuine possibility of winning: a contender for the championship, a contender for the nomination.
Someone who isn't a serious contender is not in contention.
A pretender to the throne claims it; a contender actually has a shot.
Feeling positive expectation
- aspirantOne seeking advancement
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- striverOne who works diligently
climber · go-getter · ambitious · driven · hungry · determined · pursuit · endeavor
One competing against incumbent
- competitorOne striving against others
- finalistLast-round participant
- opponentOne who contends against
- rivalOne who competes against
qualifier · semifinalist · frontrunner · bracket · seed · tournament · playoffs · matchup
Unlikely but possible winner
- long shotUnlikely to succeed
- outsiderOne excluded from group
- Cinderella storyImprobable rise to victory
- upstartArrogant recent success
sleeper · unknown · unlikely · overlooked · unfancied · minnow · David · spoiler
Top competitor, or advocate
- titleholderOne who holds a championship
- belt holderAccessory storage device
- defendingProtecting against harm
- reigningHolding power now
number one · crown · throne · championship · heavyweight · lightweight · division · ranking
Determination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- resolveFirmness of purpose
endurance · fortitude · persistence · steadfastness · dedication · commitment · toughness · willpower
Enemy in conflict
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- foeHostile opponent
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- sparring partnerPractice combat opponent
opposition · counterpart · duelist · combatant · archrival · foil · opposite number · head-to-head
hopeful
Feeling positive expectation
- aspirantOne seeking advancement
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
- candidatePerson seeking selection
striver · climber · go-getter · ambitious · driven · hungry · determined · pursuit · endeavor · dreamer
challenger
One competing against incumbent
- competitorOne striving against others
- finalistLast-round participant
- opponentOne who contends against
rival · qualifier · semifinalist · frontrunner · bracket · seed · tournament · playoffs · matchup · bout
dark horse
Unlikely but possible winner
- long shotUnlikely to succeed
- outsiderOne excluded from group
- Cinderella storyImprobable rise to victory
upstart · sleeper · unknown · unlikely · overlooked · unfancied · minnow · David · spoiler · surprise
champion
Top competitor, or advocate
- titleholderOne who holds a championship
- belt holderAccessory storage device
- defendingProtecting against harm
reigning · number one · crown · throne · championship · heavyweight · lightweight · division · ranking · title shot
grit
Determination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- determinationFirmness of purpose
resolve · endurance · fortitude · persistence · steadfastness · dedication · commitment · toughness · willpower · stamina
adversary
Enemy in conflict
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- foeHostile opponent
- antagonistOne who opposes another
sparring partner · opposition · counterpart · duelist · combatant · archrival · foil · opposite number · head-to-head · grudge match
- candidatescandidate, candidates, nominee, nominees, hopeful
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
- rivalriesenemy, nemesis, derby, opponent, competitor
- rivalsrival, opponent, adversary, competitor, foe
- striversstriver, trier, fighter, battler, plugger
- pretenderspretender, claimant, usurper, disputed heir, false king
contenderchampion
Top competitor, or advocate
titleholder · incumbent · reigning champion · defending champion · winner
- global contenderCompetitor at worldwide level