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
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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
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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
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound shooting guard played in only seven games for the Terrapins last season, averaging 1.3 points in 5.3 minutes per contest.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Frank Fellone, Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025
In addition to those, there are numerous individual lawsuits contesting various actions by the administration.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
The event also includes a stein-holding contest, lawn games and a children’s area.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound shooting guard played in only seven games for the Terrapins last season, averaging 1.3 points in 5.3 minutes per contest.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Verb
That way a police officer can choose to write a ticket, the violator can contest the ticket, and a traffic judge can make a ruling that sets a precedent for others to follow.
—Frank Fellone, Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025
In addition to those, there are numerous individual lawsuits contesting various actions by the administration.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
Stellantis’s European operation is a weak-looking target for new Chinese competition.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Forest, who won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough, last featured in Europe’s premier competition in 1980-81.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
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Calling Sturgis the tournament’s first American is a bit of an understatement, actually.—
Pablo Maurer,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Not bad for a guy who spent much of this week as the tournament’s first alternate — waiting, hoping, for someone to pull out.—
Jordan Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
But the pause comes amid a backdrop of daily skirmishes, largely by drone warfare.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Not about the economic turmoil from tariffs, any one of the skirmishes playing out abroad, or a surprise shake-up in his White House staff.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
Dozens of lawsuits have been filed challenging Trump's executive orders and actions taken by his administration, including the dismantling of federal agencies and the crackdown on international students involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
Immigrant rights groups challenged the change on behalf of the immigrants and their sponsors.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Noun
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She is locked in a bitter rivalry with the Bears, whose growing presence and destructive ways threaten the land she is sworn to protect, by any means necessary.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
-
While their rivalry has had plenty of back-and-forth, this match may be the easiest to predict.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
The week had included finals, pre-graduation events and students moving out of the dorms.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
Religion notes are open to any group wanting to publicize a special event.—
Carin Schoppmeyer,
Arkansas Online,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
This, after an epic indoor fireworks battle — among other shenanigans — had the place looking like a warzone in videos.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2025
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As soon as hot weather sets in, chickweed begins to slow its growth, often dying out by midsummer, but don’t think the battle is won.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Some justices question why Trump admin did not seek direct ruling on birthright citizenship Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan asked why the Trump administration on Thursday sought to block nationwide injunctions rather than resolve whether a birthright citizenship order is constitutional.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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While the total square footage of office space owned and leased by the Department of General Services has increased, many state workers question whether there are enough desks for all their colleagues to be in offices in July.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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