1
as in rivalries
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 tournaments
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 skirmishes
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 challenges
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
vowed to contest the claim in court
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contests
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Sunday’s game at Toronto is the first of three contests in four nights for Orlando.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
That ended the 14-year-old's run as the last perfect bracket after the opening weekend of the men's and women's tournaments from more than 40 million entries across all the major contests.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The district is the poorest the city, and the council race is expected to be one of the most competitive city contests this June, with the current council member, Curren Price, terming out.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The only perfect bracket left after the opening weekend of the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments — from more than 40 million entries across all the major contests — was produced not by some college basketball expert or betting guru but an eighth grader from suburban Pittsburgh.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
In a moment that summed up where these two teams are headed, James cruised to the rim on a fast-break scoring opportunity as Pacers starters Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam missed the 41-year-old star with their respective contests.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
In 2010, leading up to major losses for Democrats, Republicans were doing well in special election contests.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Kim Caldwell’s crew has lost its last seven contests, but no one will wholly discount Tennessee in March.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Yohuru Williams, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
One suit contests privacy-protection methods; the other seeks to exclude undocumented immigrants from numbers used to redraw congressional districts.
—Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Here, Sarr successfully contests a 13-foot floater by Tyler Kolek.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The high court’s decision did not address the underlying merits of the lawsuit, which contests the Department of Homeland Security’s revocation policy.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
If the president contests that decision, Congress must resolve the dispute, requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers to maintain the vice president's authority.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
Across those six contests, Byfield has compiled five goals, nine points and +5 rating.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Sunday’s game at Toronto is the first of three contests in four nights for Orlando.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
That ended the 14-year-old's run as the last perfect bracket after the opening weekend of the men's and women's tournaments from more than 40 million entries across all the major contests.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The district is the poorest the city, and the council race is expected to be one of the most competitive city contests this June, with the current council member, Curren Price, terming out.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The only perfect bracket left after the opening weekend of the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments — from more than 40 million entries across all the major contests — was produced not by some college basketball expert or betting guru but an eighth grader from suburban Pittsburgh.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
In a moment that summed up where these two teams are headed, James cruised to the rim on a fast-break scoring opportunity as Pacers starters Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam missed the 41-year-old star with their respective contests.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
In 2010, leading up to major losses for Democrats, Republicans were doing well in special election contests.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Kim Caldwell’s crew has lost its last seven contests, but no one will wholly discount Tennessee in March.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
One lawsuit contests the federal government’s refusal to allow the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
—Yohuru Williams, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
One suit contests privacy-protection methods; the other seeks to exclude undocumented immigrants from numbers used to redraw congressional districts.
—Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Here, Sarr successfully contests a 13-foot floater by Tyler Kolek.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The high court’s decision did not address the underlying merits of the lawsuit, which contests the Department of Homeland Security’s revocation policy.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
If the president contests that decision, Congress must resolve the dispute, requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers to maintain the vice president's authority.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contests
Noun
-
While community surveys showed support for the merger, some students expressed concern over losing traditions and rivalries.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The island’s legislature is considering a record defense outlay, but domestic political rivalries threaten to derail that effort.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Every year, millions of Americans fill out March Madness brackets for the annual men's and women's college basketball tournaments, hoping to fulfill their unrealized dreams of selecting a perfect bracket.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Since then, Woods has played in 11 tournaments the last five seasons, finishing only four of those tournaments.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With billions of dollars at stake, the conflicts manifest in sharp skirmishes in the Legislature, in courts and in the ballot measure arena.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In a dangerous escalation from cross-border skirmishes, Pakistan launched air strikes at the end of February, targeting major cities including Kabul.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The funding is ongoing while Colorado challenges the policy in court, but if reductions are made permanent, Mahanan predicts a wave of day care closures, almost overnight.—
Shay Castle,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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The game challenges players to guess the hourly burrito combination for a chance to unlock prizes.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The two competitions rolled out over three days in Sin City, with the International Pizza Challenge centered on culinary skills while the World Pizza Games offered a chance for slice slingers to show off their acrobatic skills and dexterity.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
-
All competitions were won by city employee teams.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Originally a deadline was set for when spring training games started, but enough progress and momentum had been made that discussions continued.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Inter Miami is urging (and incentivizing) fans to take public transportation to the games.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Videos from the scene showed clashes and even a man with a gun in one town.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In Dallas, clashes erupted between No Kings marchers and counter-protesters.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But when new hire Pumpkin (Lola Tung) questions their sisterhood, they’re forced to confront inner darkness or meet violent ends.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Family questions police response Sye's other sister told CBS New Baltimore that the officers were too aggressive in their response.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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