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
Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Junior Luca Bertino posted seven saves in net for Serra to keep the contest tied down the stretch.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
Per Opta, Gonzalez ranks first for Porto for possession regains (73), tackles (34) and aerial duels contested (68) this season.
—Sam Lee, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contest 
Noun
With three ranching family dynasties locked in a contest for control of the land, their lives and legacies are threatened by outside forces intent on destroying their way of life.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Junior Luca Bertino posted seven saves in net for Serra to keep the contest tied down the stretch.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
Houston couldn’t contest and the veteran point guard, with his feet set behind the 3-point line, did the rest.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
Per Opta, Gonzalez ranks first for Porto for possession regains (73), tackles (34) and aerial duels contested (68) this season.
—Sam Lee, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
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French leaders hope the summit will boost investment in Europe's AI sector, positioning the region as a viable competitor in a field largely dominated by U.S.-China competition.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Since then, Sundance has continued to make competition titles across the U.S. Dramatic, World Cinema, and Documentary sections available to stream.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Among the changes are an in-season tournament, a path to the asphalt for accomplished drivers outside the Cup Series and a trip south of the border.—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2025
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On Saturday, Florida Panthers representatives for each country came up big in their final game before the two-week break that coincides with the tournament.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The move immediately became a key skirmish in Mr. Musk’s wider war on the federal bureaucracy.—
Chris Cameron,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2025
-
The development is just the latest skirmish in a decades-long war that cyclists have waged to legally ride the trails in mountain biking’s birthplace.—
Maureen Gaffney,
Outside Online,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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That win comes as a bill filed in the N.C. General Assembly last week would bar Jackson from challenging any executive orders from the President, WRAL reported.—
Zachery Eanes,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
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In a speech at the Paris AI Action Summit, Vance challenged Europe's regulatory stance on artificial intelligence and content moderation on Big Tech platforms, highlighting a growing divide between the United States, its allies and China on AI governance.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Now, two years later, James was glad to be at the bar with his dad, despite the rivalry.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacramento Bee,
10 Feb. 2025
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In the midst of this, Larson also has a healthy rivalry brewing with Christopher Bell, as both frequently find themselves in exciting finishes on dirt tracks and other formats.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Invest in one year of premium journalism, member-only events and more for just $49.99.—
Forbes,
Forbes,
14 Feb. 2025
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It's expected to include sketches and musical performances and will be a three-hour live event, double the amount of time of a normal SNL show.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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At the time, the entertainment giant continued to fight a high-profile legal battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over control of its special tax district that afforded the company special privileges in the state to control the land its sprawling theme parks sits on.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Feb. 2025
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The base was originally named in 1918 for Gen. Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general from Warrenton, North Carolina, who was known for owning slaves and losing key Civil War battles that contributed to the Confederacy's downfall.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has put out guidance on how school officials should respond should immigration agents attempt to question or remove students.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
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Members of Elon Musk’s team reportedly have accessed sensitive department data, and some members of Congress went to department headquarters to question the team but were denied access.—
Jennifer Smith Richards,
ProPublica,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near contest
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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