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

Then, in the sixth, Dodgers setup man Tanner Scott took the mound early, at an inflection point in the contest. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Brabus The Brabus Urban E Fragment Edition isn't trying to win a rationality contest. — New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Seid paid all fines and tickets without contesting them, Axios reported. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 But contest judges were impressed with the photo’s moody colors and cinematic feel, the release said. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest

Noun

The five-episode doc follows Five Guys’ global competition of crew members from local qualifying rounds to the ultimate championship.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Economist Thomas Philippon calculates that weakened competition costs the typical household about $300 a month.

— Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Families spend thousands on travel teams, private lessons and tournaments.

— Jonathan Alpert OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
The campaign held a two-day event for forum members this month at a casino that included a video game tournament, panel discussions and speeches.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of tournament

Noun

This leads to even more behind-the-scenes skirmishes laced with character-centric comedy, as opposing factions align.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Ties between the two countries remain strained over their long-running Himalayan border dispute, which erupted into a deadly skirmishes in 2020 that saw soldiers from both sides use rocks and iron rods in brutal hand-to-hand combat.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

Peltola, who represented Alaska's at-large district from 2022 to 2025, is challenging Sullivan, a two-term incumbent.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Uncertainty and change have always been challenging to handle, for some people more than others, said Michel Dugas, a psychology professor at the University of Québec in Outaouais.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

The alleged rivalry between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle was seemingly dying down—but then Meghan and Prince Harry moved back to the UK.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Oct. 2026
The group will confront old tensions and determine if these chapters can finally be closed, or if some rivalries are simply too deep to leave in the past.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

YouTube Europe boss Pedro Pina, a fixture at these events, reminded producers that the platform won’t take work away from them by entering the production game.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Her cousin, played by Azam Quadri, turns up without warning after 15 years away, and his visit brings back the events that once split the family.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

Still, when the measles outbreak erupted, Bangladesh responded swiftly and initially seemed to be winning the battle.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Policy Policy Your guide to the Supreme Court, federal courts, judicial nominations, and the legal battles shaping American policy.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

There is little public clarity around the individual voters whose registration is being contested or how the administration began to question their eligibility.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
But Laura Zimmermann, Common Sense Media’s director of youth AI research, questioned the value of OpenAI’s statistics.

— Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026