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
• struggle
• duel
• contention
• warfare
• confrontation
• war
• conflict
• match
• sweepstakes
• strife
• showdown
• face-off
• clash
• ball game
• tug-of-war
• combat
• dogfight
• debate
• grapple
• dispute
• disputation
• horse race
• friction
• argument
• collision
• quarrel
• nail-biter
• controversy
• discord
• row
• disagreement
• dissension
• 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
• 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
• combat
• altercation
• scrum
• scrap
• dispute
• quarrel
• pitched battle
• face-off
• battle royal
• blows
• fistfight
• slugfest
• rough-and-tumble
• hassle
• melee
• joust
• free-for-all
• fisticuffs
• row
• affray
• mix-up
• spat
• 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
• impeach
• query
• doubt
• call in question
• protest
• oppugn
• fight
• resist
• kick (about)
• object (to)
• oppose
• combat
• mistrust

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contest

Noun

The franchise grew out of Wong, Shih and Yin’s own experiences competing in and observing Asian beauty pageants and talent contests held across North America and Asia. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

The contest centered on transgender rights, with Markey repeatedly blasting Moulton’s earlier remarks about trans girls in sports as echoing conservative talking points and out of step with Democratic voters. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

Still, the reaction illustrates how contested the memory trade has become. — Isabella Gao, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Both entries also placed in the Florida Society of News Editors contest earlier this year. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026