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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contest
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
Republicans, who had a much larger roster, entered the evening having won the previous four contests, including a 31-11 victory last year.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 12 June 2025
Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 10 June 2025
Whatever the total losses, few outside Russia contest that Ukraine’s operation was a remarkable feat of intelligence, planning and utilizing cheap, modern warfare tools.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
Even if lawmakers make the contests nominally nonpartisan, the wide leeway for political activity by justice candidates could effectively lead to Republican vs. Democratic races in all but name.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
Republicans, who had a much larger roster, entered the evening having won the previous four contests, including a 31-11 victory last year.
—Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 12 June 2025
Verb
The pole vault final will be contested at 5:35 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, with complete coverage available on ESPN+.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 10 June 2025
Whatever the total losses, few outside Russia contest that Ukraine’s operation was a remarkable feat of intelligence, planning and utilizing cheap, modern warfare tools.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
This sort of multidisciplinary excellence is rare for Olympic competition; athletes are by necessity ultra specialized.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Crystal Palace’s eligibility for that international competition had been complicated by the fact that Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings Group also has a majority stake in the French club Lyon.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Patterson noted the three-on-three basketball tournament at the event drew a lot of interest, something that first-time visitor Sam Rathbun of St. Charles enjoyed Saturday morning.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
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The team entered the finals on a 26-game winning streak, and outscored its opponents 64-25 in its first eight tournament games.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
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One skirmish involved the arrest of a union leader, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union of California, who said he was injured and detained by ICE.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
9 June 2025
-
Alongside Israeli military drills, stalled diplomatic talks, and proxy skirmishes, these hostile warnings signal a dangerous escalation.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
California’s attorney general challenged the deployment, seeking a temporary restraining order over what the state has described as the Trump administration’s failure to properly follow the statute that allows federalizing the guard.—
Laura Strickler,
NBC news,
13 June 2025
-
These women’s stories challenge a culture that too often equates strength with silence.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Rivals follows the rivalry between an old money MP, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Tony, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant), who clash over control of a fictional independent TV station in the 1980s.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
-
According to a report from TMZ Sports, the on-screen rivalry has become deeply personal.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
In the final days leading up to the event, the White House made an unusual request.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
14 June 2025
-
In addition to the Leo's message played on the park's big screen, the event will include words from people who knew Leo.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
The two journalists paid tribute to the late MTV VJ, who died Wednesday following a prolonged battle with breast cancer, during a CNN segment on Thursday.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
-
The ruling adds to a larger ongoing legal battle over a 90-year-old Supreme Court decision known as Humphrey’s Executor.—
Lea Skene,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
But an analysis of new data from Hubble and the European Space Agency’s Gaia Space Telescope has caused researchers to question that time frame.—
Avery Hurt,
Discover Magazine,
21 June 2025
-
Skeptics will point to his physical issues and question his fit outside the Warriors’ unique system.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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