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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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
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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
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025
After all, the Red Sox are only five contests into this 162-game slate.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell will be out of state Friday when a judge hears arguments for her lawsuit contesting the city's temporary ban on non-essential travel.
—Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
In Florida, the victors in special elections for two House seats were Republican candidates in contests that Democrats hoped might reveal early clues about the political climate ahead of the 2026 midterms.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025
After all, the Red Sox are only five contests into this 162-game slate.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Schiavo's parents contested that course of action in court, eventually seeking the backing of Jeb Bush and state lawmakers.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell will be out of state Friday when a judge hears arguments for her lawsuit contesting the city's temporary ban on non-essential travel.
—Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
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Mike White was released before the 2024 season after losing preseason competition to Thompson.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2025
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The order directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to work with Attorney General Pam Bondi to ensure competition laws are enforced in the concert and entertainment industry.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the play-in tournament before losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in a game that would have sent them to the playoffs as the No.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The Heat can finish the regular season anywhere between eighth and 10th place in the East, as the NBA’s play-in tournament features the seventh-through-10th-place teams competing for the final two playoff seeds in each conference.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The clashes are a sign of growing tensions at the Lebanon-Syria border, northeast of the Beqaa valley, where predominantly Shiite Lebanese villages have seen skirmishes with Syrian soldiers in recent weeks.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
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After his skirmish with Diarra, Neal waved his arms to fire up Creighton fans in the sellout crowd.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Spoelstra unsuccessfully challenged that second Adebayo foul, left without a challenge the balance of the night.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2025
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In their filing, attorneys for Öztürk also challenge the legality of her detention.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ricky Steamboat From Clash Of The Champions 6 The intense rivalry between Ricky Steamboat and Flair produced some of the most celebrated matches in professional wrestling history.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
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But in China, it is seen as a prime battleground in the U.S.-China rivalry.—
Ann Scott Tyson,
Christian Science Monitor,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Infantino confirmed in an address to UEFA’s annual congress in Belgrade that the U.S., probably alongside other Concacaf members, had a clear path to stage the event.—
Samindra Kunti,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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To submit events To submit a community event for online publication, email information at least two weeks before the event to lake@orlandosentinel.com.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And maybe the downfall is that Lex has decided what's right between those two and which should win out, whereas Superman and Lois are in a constant battle about what is right, so they each get checked by the other.—
Mike Miller,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Michael Mann, Francis Ford Coppola, Nicolas Cage Pay Tribute to Actor By the time the sequel was filmed and finally came out — there were COVID delays as Tom Cruise (rightly) insisted on a theatrical release — Kilmer was quite deep into his battle with throat cancer.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Legal experts are questioning the authority of the Trump administration to pause the federal funding.—
Selina Wang,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2025
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A number of filmmakers and institutions are questioning the legality of NEH grant cancellations, pointing out that the funding was originally authorized by Congress.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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