21 entries under candidate topic. ×

35
competitor(noun, person, conflict, opposition, job)
28
rival(noun, person, conflict, opposition, agent)
27
adversary(noun, person, opposition, agent, rebel)
27
antagonist(noun, person, opposition, agent, rebel)
14
entrant(noun, person, opposition, job, opponent)
13
combatant(noun, person, tough, opposition, opponent)
9
challenger(noun, animal, sport, opponent, competitor)
7
player(noun, animal, sport, competitor, participant)
6
battler(noun, tough, competitor, participant, bodyguard)
5
disputant(noun, opposition, agent, villain, rebel)
3
aspirant(job, competitor, participant, runner)
3
contester(competitor, participant)
3
nominee(noun, job, competitor, runner)
3
scrapper(noun, tough, competitor, participant, bodyguard)
2
favorite(competitor, participant, contestant)
2
hopeful(job, competitor, participant, runner)
2
participant(noun, competitor, contestant)
2
warrior(tough, competitor, participant, bodyguard)
1
dark horse(expression, job, competitor, participant)
1
team member(expression, competitor, participant)
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APASmart Define. (2015). contender thesaurus. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/contender/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "contender thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/contender/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 22, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, contender thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/contender/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "contender thesaurus" 10 April 2015. Web. 22 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/contender/thesaurus/synonyms>