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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
3
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
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
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Recent Examples of contest
Tom Sissom, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
Learn what new offerings will be available in July and August, enjoy free refreshments and enter a drawing to win Del Mar Races tickets and Oasis gift certificates, or wear a fancy hat or fascinator for the hat contest.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 20 June 2025
Immigration groups have contested the administration’s assertion that the Biden program is unlawful.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
The commission held a contest in advance of the 2024 election in which local students were asked to create and submit their own original designs for the stickers that are offered to voters at polling places in the county.
—Tom Sissom, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
Learn what new offerings will be available in July and August, enjoy free refreshments and enter a drawing to win Del Mar Races tickets and Oasis gift certificates, or wear a fancy hat or fascinator for the hat contest.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Verb
The Defender Trophy will be contested by entrants from over 50 countries, with local competitions held before a final round that will be staged in Africa next year.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 20 June 2025
Immigration groups have contested the administration’s assertion that the Biden program is unlawful.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
Crystal Palace’s eligibility for that international competition had been complicated by the fact that Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings Group also has a majority stake in the French club Lyon.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 June 2025
-
Since then, Michigan’s vintages have raked in scores of awards at international competitions, including 66 medals at the 2024 Texsom International Wine Competition.—
Alexandra Gillespie,
AFAR Media,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
The team entered the finals on a 26-game winning streak, and outscored its opponents 64-25 in its first eight tournament games.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
21 June 2025
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In addition to what Jeff said about the seeding, keep in mind that the opening tournament race is at Atlanta, a track with a well-deserved reputation for generating chaos where multi-car accidents are commonplace.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
The protests were substantially peaceful, although small skirmishes resulting in arrests, damage to property and injuries broke out when police tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
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Eisman drew similarities between the rocky trade environment and lead-up to World War I, likely referring to a series of treaties forged in the decades before the war designed to settle regional skirmishes that, in reality, created two massive, and eventually opposing, alliances.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Attorneys for the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Farmworker Association of Florida and two individual plaintiffs challenged the constitutionality of the law in April.—
Jim Saunders,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2025
-
Whether Congress can successfully challenge Trump’s unilateral show of military force — something it is technically obliged to do under the Constitution — remains to be seen.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The Wolf Pack have fallen behind in the Mountain West in recent years, and are staying in the conference while others head to the Pac-12, so that rivalry flame is dying.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
If there was any doubt that Cooper Flagg would be the first player selected in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, it was dispelled within minutes of the event kicking off.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Tickets for the event are still being listed for sale online, ranging from $59 to $150.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
26 June 2025
Noun
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After a competitive bidding battle, Amazon MGM Studios has landed the package for a live-action movie revolving around the Bratz doll line with Kim Kardashian and Picturestart on board to produce.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
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While the legal battle is ongoing, the judge's ruling is an early win for the states and a setback for the Trump administration.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
Skeptics will point to his physical issues and question his fit outside the Warriors’ unique system.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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But an analysis of new data from Hubble and the European Space Agency’s Gaia Space Telescope has caused researchers to question that time frame.—
Avery Hurt,
Discover Magazine,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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