The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word LOSER
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
L
O
S
E
R
More clues leading to the result LOSER
- One who shuts up having caught out failure
- One wouldn’t succeed the Spanish queen
- No-hoper’s new role picking up seaweed at front
- Flop as lover after heart transplant
- One unsuccessful in different roles
- Lead gone, nearer being a failure
- One disadvantaged among close relations
- Failure of a person nearer losing head
- Not so far off, Conservative departing as unsuccessful candidate?
- Once deprived of love, slacker's a failure
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Failed contender" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case failed contender = loser.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does LOSER mean?
LOSER noun- A person who loses; one who fails to win or thrive.
- Something of poor quality.
- A person who is frequently unsuccessful in life.
- A contemptible or unfashionable person.
- One who or that which loses something, such as extra weight, car keys, etc.