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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of contests
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
Rodriguez, who has expressed some interest in the proposal, said city leaders had not determined how county election officials would issue separate ballots for voters who would be barred from state and national contests.
—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2026
And then there were watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests and old fashioned sack races.
—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 July 2026
Packers quarterback Jordan Love has missed two starts due to injury each of the last two seasons and couldn't finish three other contests.
—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
Chestnut remained at a record pace (76) with four minutes to go, but like all eating contests, fatigue and full stomachs set in to go along with near-triple-digit heat.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
Its work has focused on civic programming, including student contests, volunteer initiatives and events around the country.
—
Luke Fountain,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
The flag has been a particularly active battleground in these contests.
—
Cat Dawson,
ARTnews.com,
3 July 2026
Polls show non-MAGA Republicans willing to cross party lines for Democrats in critical contests this year, such as the Ohio Senate battle.
—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Mae Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Water and Oxygen Disruption Phillips also contests the notion that weed fabrics are as breathable as they're advertised to be.
—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
21 May 2026
The current insurgency directly contests Pakistan’s capacity to deliver security in Balochistan.
—
Amira Jadoon,
The Conversation,
13 May 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
Meanwhile, in suburban areas and in statewide contests establishment Democrats generally are winning against progressive challengers.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
Rodriguez, who has expressed some interest in the proposal, said city leaders had not determined how county election officials would issue separate ballots for voters who would be barred from state and national contests.
—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2026
And then there were watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests and old fashioned sack races.
—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 July 2026
Packers quarterback Jordan Love has missed two starts due to injury each of the last two seasons and couldn't finish three other contests.
—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
Chestnut remained at a record pace (76) with four minutes to go, but like all eating contests, fatigue and full stomachs set in to go along with near-triple-digit heat.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
Its work has focused on civic programming, including student contests, volunteer initiatives and events around the country.
—
Luke Fountain,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
The flag has been a particularly active battleground in these contests.
—
Cat Dawson,
ARTnews.com,
3 July 2026
Polls show non-MAGA Republicans willing to cross party lines for Democrats in critical contests this year, such as the Ohio Senate battle.
—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Verb
The decision becomes final after 180 days unless the payer contests the bill.
—
Mae Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Water and Oxygen Disruption Phillips also contests the notion that weed fabrics are as breathable as they're advertised to be.
—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
21 May 2026
The current insurgency directly contests Pakistan’s capacity to deliver security in Balochistan.
—
Amira Jadoon,
The Conversation,
13 May 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
-
At a time when the news cycle seems to serve up nothing but conflict, crisis and woe, the World Cup offers shelter, a truly international event in which conflict is defined by long-term sports rivalries and questionable referee decisions.
-
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to pair James with Stephen Curry, which would turn one of the NBA's greatest rivalries into two of the game's greatest stars fighting for their fifth title together.
Noun
-
Croatia has reached the semifinals of the last two tournaments, but its golden generation is aging.
-
Volleyball courts can be found at several local beaches, some of which also host beach volleyball tournaments throughout the year.
Noun
-
Johnson brushes off the skirmishes, broadly speaking, as part of the governing process.
-
While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
Verb
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For example, a free kick should be awarded in such circumstances if an offside player blocks an opponent’s view of the ball, challenges an opponent for the ball, or tries to play it but misses.
-
One seeks to block prosecutors from relying on certain hearsay evidence during the preliminary hearing, while the other challenges Graf's decision not to require key witness Lance Twiggs to testify in person.
Noun
-
Riders are screened before competitions and anyone considered too inexperienced is denied entry.
-
Olise’s five assists in France’s opening four games have been a ruthless continuation of his club form, having racked up 26 in all competitions for Bayern Munich last season.
Noun
-
The Bern, Switzerland, native started just three games in his 2024-25 campaign.
-
Wilson Contreras hit a three-run homer, Caleb Durbin added a home run of his own, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Monday to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games.
Noun
-
But occasionally there can be personality clashes or people who other people on the trip find annoying.
-
Sistan-Baluchistan, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long seen clashes between security forces, insurgents and drug smugglers.
Verb
-
While the morning may feel personal — especially if someone questions your judgment, appearance or direction — avoid treating their feedback (or silence) as rejection.
-
This view is shared by Olivier Coste at Château des Adouzes, who questions where the chase after lightness leads.
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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