Synonyms of contest

contest 1 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌtest 

1

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

• competition
• rivalry
• battle
• duel
• struggle
• contention
• warfare
• confrontation
• war
• conflict
• match
• sweepstakes
• strife
• showdown
• face-off
• clash
• ball game
• tug-of-war
• combat
• dogfight
• sweep-stake
• grapple
• debate
• dispute
• disputation
• horse race
• friction
• collision
• argument
• quarrel
• nail-biter
• controversy
• discord
• row
• disagreement
• dissension
• dissention
• wrangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• harmony
• concord

2

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

• tournament
• competition
• event
• game
• match
• championship
• sweepstakes
• tourney
• bout
• sport
• matchup
• meet
• battle
• sweep-stake
• race
• skirmish
• athletics
• semifinal
• tussle
• tug-of-war
• derby
• struggle
• scrimmage
• final
• open
• outing
• marathon
• conflict
• triathlon
• play-off
• gymkhana
• pentathlon
• round
• decathlon
• runoff
• biathlon
• heat
• field day
• ultramarathon
• national(s)
• round-robin
• rubber
• heptathlon
• volley
• seesaw
• rally
• nightcap
• sudden death
• dead heat
• run
• set
• photo finish
• classic

3

as in skirmish

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups

what mighty contests have been waged on trivial matters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skirmish
• battle
• clash
• fight
• struggle
• fray
• tussle
• scuffle
• brawl
• scrimmage
• duel
• dustup
• conflict
• confrontation
• fracas
• altercation
• combat
• scrum
• scrap
• dispute
• quarrel
• pitched battle
• mêlée
• face-off
• battle royal
• blows
• fistfight
• slugfest
• rough-and-tumble
• hassle
• melee
• joust
• free-for-all
• fisticuffs
• row
• affray
• spat
• mix-up
• controversy
• tangle
• donnybrook
• squabble
• ruckus
• punch-up
• broil
• catfight
• argument
• cross fire
• tiff
• wrangle
• contretemps
• punch-out
• ruction
• falling-out
• misunderstanding
• disagreement
• grapple
• kickup
• handgrips
• argle-bargle
• argy-bargy

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

• challenge
• question
• dispute
• call into question
• impeach
• query
• doubt
• protest
• call in question
• oppugn
• fight
• resist
• kick (about)
• oppose
• object (to)
• combat
• mistrust

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believe
• accept
• support
• defend
• embrace
• swallow
• back
• promote
• advocate
• champion
• endure
• abide
• tolerate
• stomach

Examples of contest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

What to drink: One of Tip-Sea’s claims to fame is that a bartender once won a cocktail-making contest using mustard and Top Ramen. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2024

The individuals are thrown into a contest of champions, with the winner regaining their life and becoming the hero Earth needs in order to restore balance, while the others return to moments before their death. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2024

Verb

Here’s who was Aug. 10, 2024 Given California’s deep blue tilt, it will not be contested in November. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2024

That certificate of adequacy was issued over 10 years ago but was contested from the start. —Clara Migoya, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2024