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

Relevance

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

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

Noun

Garcia has now recorded a goal contribution in five straight contests. — Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026 The co-main features Ramazan Temirov versus Steve Erceg in a high-stakes flyweight contest. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Verb

More than a billion humans will watch Sunday as Argentina and Spain contest the World Cup final. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026 It is contested by 36 of the best sides in Europe and its storied history is stitched into the fabric of the game. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for contest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest

Noun

That tournament in the past had taken place near the end of the tennis competition, with entrants somewhat dependent on who made it to the latter stages of the singles event or who was willing to stick around.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
The states alleged in their lawsuit that the acquisition will substantially throttle competition in wide-release and top-grossing theatrical distribution and cable licensing in violation of antitrust laws.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

The 2034 men’s tournament will be in Saudi Arabia — at a time of year that remains to be determined because of extreme heat.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
The amateur tournament has become a phenomenon in China, attracting millions of spectators across the country – and making for a colorful alternative to the World Cup that hasn’t seen a Chinese men’s national team compete for more than two decades.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of tournament

Noun

Pantani had targeted this stage from the start of the Tour and his Mercatone Uno team helped set the pace as the peloton made their way from Saint-Étienne to the foot of the Alpe but even once there Pantani bided his time in the early skirmishes.

— Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Tensions were also exacerbated by frequent, and often violent, skirmishes between Chinese and Indian troops along the border.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

Definition of skirmish

Noun

Set in Texas Hill Country, the modern Western follows interconnected families and their rivalries and romances.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
The teams faced each other in back-to-back postseasons in 2018 and 2019, with the rivalry peaking during a seven-game series in 2019.

— Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

Gen might have gotten away scot-free from the sheets incident in terms of optics — no one questions her involvement, even though her job description includes housekeeping — but karma hounds her during the first day of the charter.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
On Friday at Fanatics Fest in New York, Messi was questioned about the photos by Tom Brady during a World Cup final event involving both teams’ coaches and captains.

— Brooks Peck, New York Times, 21 July 2026