What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
finalist
Example
The finalists of the singing competition will perform live on stage next week. [finalists: noun]
Example
She was named a finalist for the prestigious literary award. [finalist: adjective]
contender
Example
He is a strong contender for the championship title this year. [contender: noun]
Example
The two candidates are both contenders for the position of CEO. [contenders: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contender is more commonly used than finalist in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications beyond competitions and awards.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between finalist and contender?
Both finalist and contender are relatively formal words, but finalist may be slightly more formal due to its association with prestigious competitions and awards.
