CONTEST Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

contest 1 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌtest

Definition of contest

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

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

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

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

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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

Noun

And, Schale notes, in most of these contests, district lines have been redrawn to benefit Republicans. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026 While races for Congress or governors' mansions may dominate the airwaves, some of the most competitive and significant contests are farther down the ballot. — Carmen Russell-Sluchansky, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Verb

Every City Council seat, the clerk’s office and treasurer’s office will also be contested in Harvey, with multiple activists running amid the city’s ongoing financial turmoil. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 Some women connected to the movement even contested taboos around menstruation. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest

Noun

In the luxury market, lines like Seabourn (with its first expedition vessel, Seabourn Venture) and Scenic are the main competition for all-suite accommodations.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Its upcoming industry competition should provide a clearer picture of the technologies developers can bring to the program.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Over time, the company has aggregated a combination of destinations, tournaments, leagues and camps, illustrating how physical facilities can anchor a broader participation business rather than function simply as real-estate assets.

— Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Second-round leader Haeran Ryu, who birdied her last three holes, still led the tournament by four strokes after a 4-under 68 and a three-round total of 17-under 199.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of tournament

Noun

This week’s public skirmish was a repeat performance, if not a somewhat pathetic display of both men’s need to agitate for attention.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
An agent removed Pretti’s gun from his waistband and can be seen exiting the skirmish.

— Whitney Wild, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

During the state elections in 1967, Jagdish Master, a teacher turned activist, challenged the veto of the landlords over Dalit suffrage by escorting a group of Dalits to a polling booth in Ekwari, a village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
The ban passed in April 2025 and is being challenged by a group of educators, students, parents and activists who say the law violates their 1st and 14th Amendment rights.

— Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

That count includes troops who died in medical events and other situations that do not have a direct connection to the conflict, with 18 service members having been killed from Iranian strikes, combat aircraft crashes or disposal of Iranian drones.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
In 1998, during an intense El Niño event, NPR's member station, WUSF, reported that Central Florida experienced one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks, killing 42 people.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

The leader, facing a tough re-election battle, has focused much of his campaign ahead of Tuesday’s vote on security.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
By focusing on the battles fought in luxury department stores, fashion shows, high-end spas, nail salons, and the home, the film illustrated just how limited even privileged women’s options were.

— Raymond Ang, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

Prosecutors said the 33-year-old suspect, a German citizen who has ties to the Berchtesgaden area but doesn't currently live there, was questioned.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
A number of protesters were also taken in for questioning and not allowed to join planned marches, according to local media.

— Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026