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
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The Enquirer took top honors in Ohio's four journalism contests evaluating work from 2024.
—Jackie Borchardt, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2025
Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
Sparks, Holly Jones, and King contested the results.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
The chaos ensued after the two teams tallied 49 penalties and 186 minutes in an earlier preseason contest.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The Enquirer took top honors in Ohio's four journalism contests evaluating work from 2024.
—Jackie Borchardt, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Depot Day at Travel Town Train Museum in Griffith Park will include high school jazz bands, docent tours, g-scale train displays, a Halloween Costume Parade (for members only) and contest along with train play area and more.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
Sparks, Holly Jones, and King contested the results.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
In-competition features showcase emerging filmmakers from around the world, there to debut feature, documentary and short films.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Since premiering in 2005, Olympic athletes, TV stars, internet personalities and singers have stepped into the ballroom to participate in the ABC reality dance competition show.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Eighteen nations are already guaranteed a spot in the tournament next June and July, meaning there are 30 (yes, 30) still to be decided.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
In 1997, the Shelby School won the Super Nationals chess tournament—and one year later, Rensch took home his first individual national championship title.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These issues are not unique to the WNBA, as its affiliate league, the NBA, has weathered refereeing controversies and skirmishes over player pay for years.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Each new development is underscored by a lingering discomfort about the racial dynamics of the skirmish and about Maja taking action where Nourou might have wanted to leave the whole thing be.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As if cybersecurity wasn’t challenging enough, fewer CISA employees are being asked to do more and more work protecting American cyberspace during the shutdown.—
Richard Forno,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The clash comes amid lawsuits from states and cities challenging the use of federal law enforcement and military forces in local jurisdictions.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But international rivalry between the United States and Canada, rekindled last season with two memorable games in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, will also take center stage in February when the NHL will break for players’ participation in the Winter Olympics for the first time in over a decade.—
Rob Rossi,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Set in 1980s England, the series follows the rivalry of two men who come to a head.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This event will be the first of three supermoons in 2025, with others in November and December.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Top 10 events in Cincinnati this weekend – Lions and pumpkins and beers (oh my).—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The battle of the rotations Pretty much every night, their starting pitcher was better than your starting pitcher.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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That includes research presentations on hip-hop, identity and activism, interactive workshops in education and creative practice, and a freestyle dance battle.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Canales’ trust in Young growing A week after Dave Canales called a couple of running plays on third-and-long — prompting a veteran coach with another team to question Canales’ faith in his quarterback — Canales was more aggressive with his play calling with the game on the line.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Once Gein's crimes came to light, he was questioned about a number of additional disappearances in the region.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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