Contender and Opponent

Contender

Contender noun - One who strives for the same thing as another.
Usage example: several contenders competing for the title of the city's best Italian restaurant

Opponent is a synonym for contender in conflict topic. In some cases you can use "Opponent" instead a noun "Contender", when it comes to topics like competitor. popular alternative

Nearby Words: contended, contending

Opponent

Opponent noun - One that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict.

Contender is a synonym for opponent in conflict topic. You can use "Contender" instead a noun "Opponent", if it concerns topics such as rival. popular alternative

Both words in one sentence

  • Golden Snitch If the first contender to reach it fails to make it up on his/her first attempt, his/her opponent will almost invariably catch up and the match essentially turns into a contest of luck.
    Source: Golden Snitch
  • Earthquake: A game introduced in the revival series, where the contender wrestles a gladiator atop a raised, free-swinging platform, the goal being to throw one's opponent off the side.
  • Manga / Sumomo Mo Momo Mo Worthy Opponent: Momoko is acknowledged to be one in her battle against the last contender of the Koganei clan.
Cite this Source
Opponent and Contender. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contender/opponent
Contender & Opponent. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contender/opponent>.
Opponent or Contender. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contender/opponent.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contender" and "opponent" have occurred on timeline