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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contest
Amindeh Blaise Atabong, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan also address what other fan-favorite contests missing from last season might return.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2025
Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
The company contested the findings and eventually reached a formal settlement, OSHA records show.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
Unlike past contests, this vote has unfolded against a backdrop of deep sociopolitical unease and visible youth engagement.
—Amindeh Blaise Atabong, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan also address what other fan-favorite contests missing from last season might return.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Johnson’s 18 points are the most the Pioneers have surrendered outside of that Byron contest this season.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
The company contested the findings and eventually reached a formal settlement, OSHA records show.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
Still, experts say there are additional challenges to ensure that insurance plans and other health care economics allow for investment into biosimilars and create competition as intended.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The eight minor passengers on board, ranging in ages from 13 to 16, are members of a judo club (a Japanese martial art) from Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and were traveling back from a global sports camp and competition held in Azerbaijan.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Baseball was played as an Olympic sport from 1992 until 2008 and in 2021, and in those years, only minor league players outside each club’s 40-man rosters or free agents were able to participate in the Olympic baseball tournament.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Grand Canyon has played in the last three NCAA tournaments, but takes a step up in competition with its move to the Mountain West Conference this season.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Amazon Prime commentator Kirk Herbstreit said as a guess at Rodgers' response to Jones, as footage of the sideline near-skirmish played for viewers.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Why This Hurts More Than Before US-China trade tensions aren’t just another tariff skirmish.—
Vitalii Savryha,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The same Philadelphia that witnessed the birth of American independence also nurtured competing visions of nationhood—ones that challenged the very foundations of who could claim full citizenship in the republic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
With no presumptive nominee or clear party leader after the 2024 presidential election loss, the Democratic field remains widely contested—a scenario that could reshape the party’s electoral strategy, policy direction and prospects for challenging Republican front-runners in upcoming races.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Aggies have their own rivalry game on the road on the final weekend of the regular season to worry about.—
Erick Smith,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
-
While neither team made it to the World Series, their matchup in the wild card round added a new chapter to their rivalry.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In orchestrating the flight, Hamida refashions the sequence of events in her own abduction.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The eight-hour event, which was held at a local school, attracted 800 to 900 people, Waggoner says — and one of them, Brenda Hodgkin, 41, was both a volunteer and beneficiary.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As soon as a battle or a war has been fought, victors and losers alike begin to tell different stories.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Linked by the fire, a cashier, fire-fighter, district attorney and student battle to prevent tragedy, the blaze’s consequences still roiling two decades later.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Julie Mayhew, owner of Mayville Farm, a small farm sanctuary in Racine, said she's publicly questioned Shalom for years.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Bessent was questioned by Democrats and some Republicans for his support, in the context of Argentina being a competitor to the US in exporting soybeans to China.—
Daniel Flatley,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share