finalist

noun

fi·​nal·​ist ˈfī-nə-list How to pronounce finalist (audio)
Synonyms of finalistnext
: a contestant in a competition finals

Examples of finalist in a Sentence

They interviewed all of the finalists before making a decision. a finalist in the tennis tournament
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rockwell remembers learning how to make a phone call during the early Idol seasons, when finalists had dedicated call-in numbers, and still prefers casting votes through more traditional avenues, like texting. Philiana Ng, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026 The top two finalists — one male, one female — will each receive a $4,000 college scholarship. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 Her novels are Haunted Houses; Motion Sickness; Cast in Doubt; No Lease on Life, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award; and American Genius, A Comedy. Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026 Less than three weeks after selecting Tyrone Brookins as its next superintendent, the Inver Grove Heights school board on Wednesday night rescinded its contract offer, citing board division in its original selection of Brookins as the lone finalist. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for finalist

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of finalist was in 1898

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Finalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finalist. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

finalist

noun
fi·​nal·​ist ˈfīn-ᵊl-əst How to pronounce finalist (audio)
: a contestant in the finals of a competition

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