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
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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
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3
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
what mighty contests have been waged on trivial matters
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as in to challenge
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
vowed to contest the claim in court
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of contest
Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
All eyes are on Colorado's congressional contests in the 2024 election.
—John Frank, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Rebecca Knight, Harvard Business Review, 4 Nov. 2024
Both have already lined up their legions of lawyers to contest and defend where necessary.
—Chris Jackson, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contest 
Noun
Harris’ entrance into the contest marked a reunification of her party, after Biden’s resistance to bow out of the race—even as Trump surged ahead in polls—exposed deep divisions within the party.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
All eyes are on Colorado's congressional contests in the 2024 election.
—John Frank, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
And people’s feelings might be even more intense if the results are unclear or contested.
—Rebecca Knight, Harvard Business Review, 4 Nov. 2024
Both have already lined up their legions of lawyers to contest and defend where necessary.
—Chris Jackson, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
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In the current era of U.S.-Chinese strategic competition, North Korea’s value to China extends beyond its role as a buffer zone between Chinese and U.S. forces.Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
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The organising committee investigated and found that Jiang had violated competition rules in the preliminary round because she was helped by her teacher, Wang Runqiu, who was a contestant himself.Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK, theweek, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
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But, Finland could also use the third spot to bring a younger goalie to one of these two tournaments, which could crack the door open for Annunen or Pittsburgh’s Joel Blomqvist.Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
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All tournaments are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. out of Prairie Creek park.Flip Putthoff, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The United States has consistently urged caution and restraint on both sides of the conflict, warning that the continuation of the skirmishes could unintentionally erupt into a broad regional war.Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Oct. 2024
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The commission must now fight a separate legal battle in a bid to enforce the fine — one of many skirmishes pitting the Australian government against tech mogul Musk.Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The filing also details various legal proceedings, including a complaint filed by environmental groups challenging lease extensions for the Santa Ynez Unit.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
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Especially if Murray keeps challenging him to outdo himself — a trend that continued Wednesday night before Denver’s win over Oklahoma City.Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The movie stars Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon in a bitter rivalry during a high school election.Erik Kain, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin play cousins whose tour through Poland in honor of their grandmother sparks some serious family rivalry.Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Together, the pair built their own ofrenda at home, then picked out costumes and painted their faces before heading to the annual event at the start of November on the city’s Northside.Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
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This year the event celebrates 25 years of honoring the best of Latin music in Spanish and Portuguese.Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
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As other suburban Indiana school board races have become embroiled in culture war battles and heated partisan rhetoric in recent elections, school board races in Hendrick’s County have stayed out of the fray.Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
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And after the chaos Washington descended into following the 2020 election, analysts might be prudent to assume Trump wouldn’t take another loss without an intense battle.Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Paxton was born into the church and comes across as more explicitly pious and less inherently questioning of her worldview.Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
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Random Voter Purging If you are removed from a voting line to be questioned, repositioned or even prevented from voting by a polling official, keep a cool head and ask questions to find out what’s going on rather than walking away without casting your vote.Rachaell Davis, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near contest
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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