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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contest
Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
As LAist reported this week, the school established an attendance contest, where students who showed up every day for two weeks could try for a pair of tickets.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
But no one reading the book will come away with the sense that studies are often contested, or that many of the findings of social psychology and economics remain unsettled, or that results can be interpreted in many ways.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
He had been brought into the lab to participate in a photography contest by his sister Raffaella Donghia, a researcher at the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) in Frascati, Italy.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
As LAist reported this week, the school established an attendance contest, where students who showed up every day for two weeks could try for a pair of tickets.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
While a few of the Pacers’ 18 made threes were tightly contested, many were not.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
But no one reading the book will come away with the sense that studies are often contested, or that many of the findings of social psychology and economics remain unsettled, or that results can be interpreted in many ways.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
For the seventh year in a row, Walmart captured more money from Charlotte-area shoppers than any other grocery store, despite intense competition from local grocers like Harris Teeter and Food Lion.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The timing matters as robotics competition heats up This legislation comes at a moment when China is rapidly advancing in robotics.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics made the Heat’s chances of avoiding the play-in tournament even worse.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Traffic and street closures Multiple agencies, including FIFA, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the City of Dallas, NCTCOG, Oak View Group, and others, are coordinating to align traffic management with construction and tournament needs.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And the Pakistani military has been engaged in cross-border skirmishes with the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan for months.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The Angels challenged a successful steal by Hoerner in the sixth, but the call was upheld.—
Jay Cohen,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Some two dozen states already challenged the new tariffs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma’s coaching rivalry has had something for everyone on and off the court.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But there were also rivalries — and who got to control a bigger share of the work was hotly contested.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The event features a diverse lineup of live music and art along with food, craft beverages and art installations.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Justin Gaethje, lightweight interim champion — Coming off an upset of Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January to claim the interim belt, Gaethje will face Ilia Topuria in the main event of the UFC White House card on June 14.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Three months into faith leaders’ legal battle, they were allowed back inside the facility in February for Ash Wednesday after a court order granted limited access.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In the midst of a restitution battle, records show that Kilpatrick is at risk of losing a home in Novi over more than $50,000 in unpaid property taxes.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Still, some critics have questioned the role of law enforcement on school campuses, particularly in secondary schools, raising concerns that such programs can feel more like surveillance than support.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The hidden cost of going back to school Students are increasingly questioning the value proposition of higher education.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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