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

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

Spoelstra said the plan is to play some of the rotation regulars in the exhibition contest. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Although the contest is defined as nonpartisan — and party affiliations won’t be listed on the ballot — the candidates’ affiliations are likely to decide the race, in the view of political analysts. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

This interpretation, while supported by a substantial body of historical scholarship, is sharply contested by leaders of some Italian-American organizations, who laud Columbus as a symbol of ethnic pride. — Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026 Patients lose out because the administrative bloat inflates the cost of medical care, while making costs less transparent and harder to contest. — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest

Noun

Decisions about industrial policy, infrastructure, public spending, and competition increasingly have to account not only for emissions but climate risk.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
But could Cruise use his movie star promotion power to get himself into the best-actor Oscar competition, despite the film suffering from tepid reviews and a possibly paltry box office?

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Indian cricketers have avoided handshakes with Pakistan players, and have refused to accept the trophy and medals from a Pakistani official at more than one tournament.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2 manga laid the groundwork for some of the genre's most enduring tropes (gender switching, horny old guys, tournaments), and this is the second anime adaptation, this time from Studio MAPPA.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of tournament

Noun

Ties between the two countries, which had deteriorated sharply following a deadly border skirmish in 2020, have been thawing for more than a year.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
The duo walks away from this skirmish, though not unscathed, as Samjad quickly and economically sets up a blistering saga of stylish reprisals with no holds barred.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

Williams leaped back inbounds to secure her own miss on a play initially ruled Dallas’ ball, but Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase successfully challenged the call.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
The congressman challenged Newsom to a debate, proposing holding town halls and talking to voters about this issue.

— Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

And allowing the top seeds to select their opponents in the first two rounds would create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries and create new ones.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Better still, they could’ve been forced to navigate a professional rivalry if, say, Roy is expected to support Chelsea’s women’s club.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

Chinese media reported that PLA forces deployed Type 99A main battle tanks alongside drones, uncrewed ground vehicles and helicopters.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Alabama and Mississippi State battle, and Underdog is offering new users a chance to use promo code FOXNEWS to earn up to $100 in bonus bets on a $5 wager.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

The apartment that people questioned spending money on is the same one that built her career.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Certainly there were clear taboos, beginning with questioning the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party and criticizing the country’s central leadership.

— Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026