contenders
Those in competition
Contenders is the plural of contender—those competing for a position, title, or prize.
The word implies serious candidacy: not everyone in a race is a contender, only those with a realistic chance of winning.
The two leading contenders for the nomination squared off in tonight's debate.
A pretender to the throne claims legitimacy; a contender actually fights for it.
People seeking success
- nomineesThose proposed for selection
- applicantsThose seeking acceptance
- prospectsExpected future outcomes
- finalistsLast competitors standing
semifinalists · shortlist · entrants · candidates · contestants · auditionees · selectees · bidders
Sports competitors
- fightersThose who engage physically
- boxersUnderwear or prizefighters
- wrestlersCombat sport competitors
- racersSpeed contest participants
champions · defending champions · challengers · ranked players · draft picks · free agents · medalists · record holders
Ongoing contest between opponents
- raceCompetition of speed
- contestOrganized competitive event
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- championshipCompetition for top rank
playoffs · title fight · showdown · battle · matchup · bracket · elimination · qualifier
Desire for achievement
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- driveOperate a vehicle
- hungerNeed for nourishment
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
perseverance · tenacity · aspiration · effort · pursuit · training · preparation · dedication
hopefuls
People seeking success
- nomineesThose proposed for selection
- applicantsThose seeking acceptance
- prospectsExpected future outcomes
finalists · semifinalists · shortlist · entrants · candidates · contestants · auditionees · selectees · bidders · suitors
athletes
Sports competitors
- fightersThose who engage physically
- boxersUnderwear or prizefighters
- wrestlersCombat sport competitors
racers · champions · defending champions · challengers · ranked players · draft picks · free agents · medalists · record holders · all-stars
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
- raceCompetition of speed
- contestOrganized competitive event
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
championship · playoffs · title fight · showdown · battle · matchup · bracket · elimination · qualifier · heat
ambition
Desire for achievement
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- driveOperate a vehicle
- hungerNeed for nourishment
grit · perseverance · tenacity · aspiration · effort · pursuit · training · preparation · dedication · discipline
- candidatescandidate, candidates, nominee, nominees, hopeful
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- combat sportsboxing, wrestling, MMA, judo, karate
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- sports starsall-stars, elite athletes, elite players, MVPs, superstars
- tournamentstournament, tournaments, bracket, brackets, tournament brackets
contenderschampions
Contest winners, top performers
winners · titleholders · victors · incumbents · has-beens
contendersalso-rans
Defeated contestants collectively
no-hopers · long shots · underdogs · pretenders · wannabes
contendersallies
Cooperative partners united together
partners · teammates · collaborators · supporters · backers
- global contenderCompetitor at worldwide level