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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contest
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The slam dunk contest, with a two-round format featuring four contestants, will cap Saturday’s festivities.
—Dan Loumena, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The competitive Democratic field reflects national party enthusiasm to contest what has been a red-leaning seat in the northern exurbs of Atlanta.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
A number of newspapers in town held similar contests, Morse says, including the now-defunct Chicago Inter Ocean, which published from 1865 to 1914.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The slam dunk contest, with a two-round format featuring four contestants, will cap Saturday’s festivities.
—Dan Loumena, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Administration officials have contested judicial characterizations of immigration enforcement, with Department of Homeland Security representatives arguing that judges have mischaracterized ICE law enforcement actions by comparing them to extremist groups.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The competitive Democratic field reflects national party enthusiasm to contest what has been a red-leaning seat in the northern exurbs of Atlanta.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
Khelif has appealed the new policy that will keep the athlete out of any competitions pending the results of genetic testing.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
During the second annual competition in October, the team from La Marmotte restaurant, also located downtown, won with a concoction of Nikka Vodka, Luxardo Espresso liqueur, Irish cream, and Count Chocula and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereals.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Although the College Football Playoff will remain a 12-team field in 2026, the tournament's committee has unveiled postseason dates and bowl sites for the next two seasons.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In the Mission League, Sierra Canyon, Notre Dame, Crespi and Loyola earned automatic playoff berths for advancing to the league tournament semifinal.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, an arcane academic skirmish has devolved into open hostilities.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, in Milan, a skirmish broke out between police and demonstrators at the end of a protest that police said, according to The Associated Press, initially numbered 10,000 and was peaceful.—
Denny Alfonso,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Leading through challenging moments requires steadiness, clear priorities, and transparency.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Your 3rd House of Transmissions carries mischievous Mercury, bouncing off of reactive Uranus in your 6th House of Everyday Effort, challenging your rhythm with a last-minute task.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While Finland and Sweden may not have enjoyed quite the same level of Olympic success in women’s hockey as the US and Canada, the rivalry between the two Nordic countries is nonetheless a fiery one.—
Hannah Ryan,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The epic race between Stolz and de Boo is the latest in their budding rivalry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The event will, in particular, monitor several metrics, including motion control, dynamic balance, and impact resistance.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Both mishaps were unfortunate events as medals have been hard to come by through the early days of the Winter Olympics.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The star of the cache was a near-complete Iron Age battle trumpet, or carnyx — used to blare eerie sounds in battle and rally troops against the enemy.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Alain Hamel is credited with catching the giant flatfish, which was pulled through the ice after a two-and-a-half hour battle.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The first inkling of the government questioning the DHS account came from the US Department of Justice.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The planned 90,000-square-foot project would represent the most significant change to the White House grounds in decades and is advancing even as it is challenged in court and questioned on Capitol Hill.—
Dan Diamond,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
