finalist
Made the cut
A finalist is someone who has advanced to the final round of a competition, selection process, or contest.
The term implies surviving earlier elimination rounds: She was a finalist for the teaching position, Three finalists remain in the spelling bee.
Being named a finalist suggests proximity to winning without guaranteeing it.
One competing seriously
- semifinalistLast-four competitor remaining
- quarterfinalistCompetitor in round before semis
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- nomineeOne proposed for position
entrant · participant · rival · opponent · hopeful · frontrunner · underdog · favorite
One who prevails
- runner-upCompetition's silver finisher
- also-ranUnsuccessful competitor
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- medalistCompetition award recipient
loser · placing · ranking · result · silver · bronze · honorable mention · second place
Multi-round competitive event
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- semifinalsPenultimate tournament round
- playoffsChampionship elimination series
- bracketSupport or category
elimination · qualifier · heat · round · tiebreaker · matchup · showdown · bout
Culled selection for review
- nominationFormal candidate selection
- juryLegal decision-making body
- panelDistinct flat section
- criteriaStandards for judgment
screening · evaluation · deliberation · vetting · adjudication · consideration · decision-making · selection committee
Honor given for merit
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
tribute · congratulations · applause · ovation · ceremony · gala · banquet · celebration
contender
One competing seriously
- semifinalistLast-four competitor remaining
- quarterfinalistCompetitor in round before semis
- candidatePerson seeking selection
nominee · entrant · participant · rival · opponent · hopeful · frontrunner · underdog · favorite · challenger
winner
One who prevails
- runner-upCompetition's silver finisher
- also-ranUnsuccessful competitor
- championTop competitor, or advocate
medalist · loser · placing · ranking · result · silver · bronze · honorable mention · second place · third place
tournament
Multi-round competitive event
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- semifinalsPenultimate tournament round
- playoffsChampionship elimination series
bracket · elimination · qualifier · heat · round · tiebreaker · matchup · showdown · bout · fixture
shortlist
Culled selection for review
- nominationFormal candidate selection
- juryLegal decision-making body
- panelDistinct flat section
criteria · screening · evaluation · deliberation · vetting · adjudication · consideration · decision-making · selection committee · judging
award
Honor given for merit
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
distinction · tribute · congratulations · applause · ovation · ceremony · gala · banquet · celebration · laurels
- candidatescandidate, candidates, nominee, nominees, contender
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
- spelling beespelling bee, speller, pronouncer, winner, runner-up
- Non-winnersloser, runner-up, beaten, defeated, second place
- arts awardsart prize, grand prize, gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal
- honorable mentionsrunner-up, second place, third place, special mention
finalistalso-ran
Unsuccessful competitor
washout · dropout · loser · reject · non-starter
finalistloser
Defeated competitor
bottom-dweller · also-ran · rank outsider · long shot · underdog
- national finalistCompetitor in countrywide final round
- semi finalistCompetitor in second-to-last round
finalize, finalized, finality, finalise, finalists, finalised, finalization, finalisation, semi-finalist