8
jouster(noun, tough, opponent, champion, combatant)
7
assailant(noun, opposition, rival, opponent, champion)
7
bruiser(noun, tough, opponent, champion, combatant)
7
competition(noun, person, conflict, rival, opponent)
7
fighter(noun, person, combatant)
6
candidate(noun, person, opposition, job, application)
6
dissident
6
entry(noun, person, effort)
6
mercenary(noun, tough, opponent, champion, combatant)
6
protester
5
dissenter
5
man-at-arms(noun, combatant, fighter)
5
objector
5
warrior(noun, combatant, competitor, fighter)
4
aspirant(noun, person, opposition, job, dream)
4
corrival(noun, person, conflict, competitor)
4
opposition(noun, match, rival, opponent, favorite)
4
scrapper(noun, competitor)
3
attacker(noun, rival, opponent)
3
belligerent(noun, tough, opponent, champion, mercenary)
10 years ago|5.9k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2016). contestant thesaurus. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/contestant/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "contestant thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/contestant/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 24, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, contestant thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 24 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/contestant/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "contestant thesaurus" 30 March 2016. Web. 24 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/contestant/thesaurus/synonyms>