What is another word for in contention?
Pronunciation: [ɪn kəntˈɛnʃən] (IPA) 
When two or more individuals or teams are competing for a prize or a victory, they are said to be "in contention." Other synonyms used to describe this state of competition include "contending," "vying," "rivaling," "competing," and "challenging." These words imply a sense of desire and drive to win, indicating that the parties involved are all putting forth their best efforts to come out ahead. "In contention" can also be replaced by "in the running," suggesting that each competitor has a fair chance of winning the contest. Regardless of the terminology used, those who are in contention are eagerly pursuing their goals and fighting to come out on top.
