1
as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the eternal contest between the forces of good and the forces of evil
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tournament
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize
a contest for the gold medal in diving
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
what mighty contests have been waged on trivial matters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to challenge
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
vowed to contest the claim in court
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contest
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Dress up for the Stevie Nicks lookalike contest for a chance to win a $100 Galuppi’s gift card, or $50 gift card for second place.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
The turnout was likely helped by the fact that all three races, which included the mayor’s seat, were contested and the Northwest school district had a bond proposal on the ballot.
—Rachel Royster
may 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
Consider this a wish list more than a projection, an opportunity to skillfully position rivalry contests and showcase games while leaning into potential theater.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Dress up for the Stevie Nicks lookalike contest for a chance to win a $100 Galuppi’s gift card, or $50 gift card for second place.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Verb
No Sixer defender cared to contest — because what’s the difference between 74 and 71 points when your team’s only mustered 51 in response?
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
The turnout was likely helped by the fact that all three races, which included the mayor’s seat, were contested and the Northwest school district had a bond proposal on the ballot.
—Rachel Royster
may 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
Friendly competition is part of the fuel for starter Davis Martin.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
The concept of everyone coming together for one evening — and pausing their competition for the good of the overall TV business — had some legs.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Upon her return to Ring of Honor, she was thrust into a tournament to determine the first ROH women’s pure champion.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
The new, 76-team brackets will jam eight extra games — for a total of 12 involving 24 teams — into the front half of the first week of the men’s and the women’s tournaments.—
Eddie Pells,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The May 9 event was shaken the day before by a political skirmish that, for the first time, spilled into the proceedings.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
10 May 2026
-
Reigns tried to avoid it during their skirmish on Monday.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
In these college chapters, the book’s velocity matches her quest for a language to challenge the calls for race and gender blindness that had become a popular solution to inequality in America.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
-
For some couples, this shift in dynamics can be challenging enough that partners cannot envision continuing the relationship.—
Patricia Neligan,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
But their rivalry continued as Zayn got back at Williams by dressing up as the gingerbread man and attacking the champion.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
While the Irish and Trojans will miss each other on the field, the rivalry has now turned sibling style with the younger Tuihalamaka picking the Trojans.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Lisa’s Safe Haven Childcare, which has eight locations throughout Northwest Indiana, hosted Monday’s event while its workers were on strike.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
-
Social events tend to allow a tiny bit of leeway, even though the host then has to listen to tedious descriptions of the traffic.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The project is particularly acrimonious, drawing out geographical battles between north and south and thorny fights between officials who want to build the tunnel and environmentalists and Delta residents seeking to protect the local ecosystem and their way of life.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Without losing a man or a ship, Dewey’s squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in the first American naval battle against a foreign power in almost five decades.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Araghchi questioned whether the latest military exchange was meant to pressure Iran into a peace deal or the result of someone persuading the president of the United States (POTUS) to extend the conflict.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
Some have questioned whether the Biennale really is a nonpartisan exhibition, pointing to the show’s history of making political statements, including in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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