CONTESTER 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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

There’s still a way to go in this year’s Democratic primaries, not to mention the party’s 2028 presidential nominating contest. — David M. Drucker, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 So the players have to lose every contest once to get to Room 8 and discover how to claim ultimate victory, then win every contest to get back to the beginning and correctly count some rice. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Verb

The modern corporation, the series LLC, and the public benefit corporation were each contested when introduced, then widely adopted. — John Nay, Fortune, 14 July 2026 This time, though, Le Pen’s views and her far-right party are more mainstream, and the question of who is French is contested even beyond France’s borders. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for contest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest

Noun

Any restrictions on player registration would not apply to the Premier League, but UEFA does have the power to limit whom Newcastle can name in a ‘List A’ squad for European competitions.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Griffin and Mahony first heard about the Canberra competition just after their wedding.

— Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

The 2034 men’s tournament will be in Saudi Arabia — at a time of year that remains to be determined because of extreme heat.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
The amateur tournament has become a phenomenon in China, attracting millions of spectators across the country – and making for a colorful alternative to the World Cup that hasn’t seen a Chinese men’s national team compete for more than two decades.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of tournament

Noun

In that contest, Clark was assessed a technical foul for loudly clapping in the direction of Mercury players during a skirmish, which White said the officials deemed as taunting.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Oil prices jumped 6% on the news, following a violent weekend of skirmishes in the Persian Gulf as both sides attempted to assert control over the strait.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

In June, a local watchdog group called Citizens for a Friendly Airport filed its third in a series of lawsuits against the Board of Supervisors, challenging the board’s approval of commercial flights at the airport.

— Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Opponents can attempt to block ballot measure certification on a variety of grounds, such as challenging the Attorney General’s summary or the constitutionality of the proposal.

— Robert Cordy, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

The rivalry has seemingly extended beyond Brazil vs Argentina to Ronaldo vs Messi, too.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
But even ragged with a slippery ball, the Springboks still blanked Wales in successive matches for the first time since the first two matches in this rivalry, in 1906 and 1912.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

In the wake of Argentina’s 2-1 win over England in Wednesday’s semifinal match, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution picked several hometown winners of the biggest sporting event to hit the city since 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.

— Kelly Yamanouchi, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
Last Month, Wilson endorsed Gilbert in an event that included a ceremonial passing of the torch.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Definition of event

Noun

The war’s new weapon What began as a ground war has evolved into a battle increasingly fought from the air.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
The battle harks back to the January 2025 Eaton fire which spread toxic ash over swaths of Altadena and Pasadena.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

Gen might have gotten away scot-free from the sheets incident in terms of optics — no one questions her involvement, even though her job description includes housekeeping — but karma hounds her during the first day of the charter.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
On Friday at Fanatics Fest in New York, Messi was questioned about the photos by Tom Brady during a World Cup final event involving both teams’ coaches and captains.

— Brooks Peck, New York Times, 21 July 2026