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

But the Spaniard won the fourth set to take the contest to a deciding set that went the distance. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 Trump’s allies are pouring tens of millions into new super PAC efforts around key Senate and House contests as Democrats slam the Dallas celebration as out of touch with Americans’ rising costs. — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

After a 14-year break in the action, Kansas and Missouri met in a revival of the Border War football series last season, a 42-31 Mizzou victory contested before a crowd of 57,321 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026 Publish what triggers an alert and let the public contest it. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest

Noun

Their concern goes beyond competition over who solves a problem first.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
As using live musicians becomes increasingly less common, the dance competition is a bright spot, which one of the largest, if not the largest, live bands on screen today.

— Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of competition

Verb

Many higher-income countries, though challenged by the disruption, have cushioned the blow by tapping strategic reserves or using their financial and political clout to secure emergency supplies.

— Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Beijing has controlled the area since 2012, while Manila continues to challenge China’s claims through maritime and aerial patrols.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

The Boot Bowl rivalry, which began in 2012, doesn’t have the longest history, but for fans in Burleson, few events bring the town together quite like it.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
Duane Davis guilty in murder of Tupac Shakur Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was murdered in Las Vegas, a jury has provided some closure in the saga of rivalry, revenge and retribution in the hip-hop world.

— Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

And talk about schlock, surely there was something if not exactly schlocky then definitely sensationalist about Marcia’s way of eviscerating an artist or an event.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
The event cast Democrats as too left wing, describing them as communists, anti-American or even evil.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

Don’t shrink to avoid disagreement, but don’t make everything a battle for control either.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Mustafa, who was born in Iraqi Kurdistan and fled to Norway as a child, said the film was inspired by his encounter with a female Peshmerga sniper during the 2014 frontline battles, as female Kurdish fighters countered Islamic State attacks.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

Leclerc was fifth and 87 points down Ahead of Monza, some observers were already questioning whether Ferrari should start prioritizing its lead driver to mount a championship challenge.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
In another critical post on X, the comedian questioned Sheeran’s decision to bring Macklemore on as an opening act.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026