CONTEST Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

contest 1 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌtest

Definition of contest

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

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

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

truce

contest

2 of 2

verb

kən-ˈtest

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

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

Noun

Fans looking to tune into the contest between the Steelers and the Packers can watch the game on KDKA-TV in the Pittsburgh market. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 On Thursday morning, co-presenters Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain announced the finalists for this year’s contest. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

And in the 2022 race for governor against Evers, which was contested on the Republican side, 693,519 participated. — Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026 As for lawsuits, very few people wanted to spend their own money on an attorney and draw more attention to their case and to their name being public as a potential predator, so a lot of people didn’t even contest what happened to them on the show. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest

Noun

Contrast that with eventual EFL champions Coventry City (48 in 49 in all competitions) and Championship runners-up Ipswich Town (50 in 49).

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Soaring temperatures are forcing drastic measures in Europe, where successive heatwaves are straining an economy already under pressure from US tariffs, Chinese competition and higher energy prices because of the Iran war.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

But he was forced to apologize after his plans to form a subsidiary to run the tournament, which would have opened the door for investors to buy stakes of up to 20% in a spinout firm, collapsed after widespread backlash across the sport.

— Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
The departure symbolizes opportunity, even more so now that the women’s and men’s tournaments are sold separately.

— Emily Olsen, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of tournament

Noun

The controversy is at once new and familiar, reflecting both the dramatic changes that the proliferation of AI has wrought on book publishing and echoing other skirmishes this year in which authors have been accused of using AI.

— Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
Elsewhere, Kyle Williams went deep again, a starting edge rusher finally popped and a small skirmish broke out on the Patriots sideline.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

The students needed enough solar power to move Stella Juva through challenging terrain while also supporting the medical equipment inside.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
If confirmed, these findings would challenge the standard picture of how one of nature’s basic conservation laws is stored inside matter.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry, which originated in 1892, has waned a bit in recent years as the Milwaukee Brewers have taken control of the National League Central.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
As China’s strategic rivalry with the US and its allies deepens, Beijing has broadened its anti-espionage campaign, casting suspicious eyes on foreign ties amid concerns about the leak of state secrets.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

Hundreds of people with stereo systems, disco balls, tents, kegs and mattresses left huge amounts of trash, set off fireworks and used Tunitas Creek Beach as a bathroom during all-night events.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
This week, Cuba commemorated Castro with events including the International Book Fair, art exhibitions, concerts and gatherings of delegates from leftist organizations across the continent.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

Alex Wagner, who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs during the Biden administration, argued recruiting has remained remarkably insulated from those political battles.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
The fight preceded the Zeus main event, which was a battle between stars from the network’s Baddies series, Tehneski and Big Lex.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

The attorney also said Acevedo Sanchez was not questioned until he was taken to an ICE holding facility in downtown Baltimore.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Nvidia's effort challenges that assumption, transforming AI compute capacity into long-term, bankable infrastructure, though skeptics may question whether AI chips can retain their value as newer generations emerge.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026