finalist — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An adherent of finalism; someone who believes that a given process or situation is in its final state, with no further change possible.

2. Someone who believes that natural processes (especially evolution) are tending towards some specific final state; a teleologist.

3. Somebody or something that appears in the final of a competition.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   If the disqualifications leave a vacancy for the full complement of finalists, swim-offs shall be continued among the disqualified swimmers until a full complement of finalists is assured.

   Soto was a finalist once before in right field, in 2022, when he lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts.

4. A university student taking their final examinations, or in the year of study when these are taken.

Noun

1. a contestant who reaches the final stages of a competition

   Broader terms

   rivalchallengercompetitorcompetitioncontender