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
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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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contest
Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 13 May 2026
The best lever might be for the EBU to privilege the jury more than fan voting — but that would undermine the populist nature of the contest and potentially turn many viewers off.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
The question of whether ME/CFS is a distinct biological disease or a psychosomatic problem has been contested for decades; the medical community’s interest in long COVID can depend, too, on whether it’s regarded as an illness or a disease.
—Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
José Pablo López, president of the Spanish broadcaster RTVE, explained his country’s withdrawal from the contest last September.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 13 May 2026
The best lever might be for the EBU to privilege the jury more than fan voting — but that would undermine the populist nature of the contest and potentially turn many viewers off.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Verb
And this year, four of those districts have contested elections — in Shoshone, Madison and Caribou counties.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
The question of whether ME/CFS is a distinct biological disease or a psychosomatic problem has been contested for decades; the medical community’s interest in long COVID can depend, too, on whether it’s regarded as an illness or a disease.
—Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
The Browns are expected to hold a quarterback competition in training camp among Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel, with rookie Taylen Green selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Critics portray the movement as politically motivated, but many athletes and parents involved insist their concerns center on competition rather than ideology.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
You’re disqualified from the tournament.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Derek White Thursday's stop was part of Coca-Cola's global FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, which is traveling to dozens of cities ahead of the tournament.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The May 9 event was shaken the day before by a political skirmish that, for the first time, spilled into the proceedings.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
10 May 2026
-
Reigns tried to avoid it during their skirmish on Monday.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), there is no residency requirement to file a lawsuit challenging a project’s environmental review.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Bates also expressed concern that, under the Administration’s view of the case, its determination that the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional cannot be challenged in court.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Militant leaders have usually died as a result of internecine rivalry among competing groups or factions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
-
That’s the foundation of an all-time rivalry.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Food and drink There is daily breakfast service in Aujourd’hui, as well as the occasional special event such as the beloved Teddy Bear Breakfast during the holidays.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
Indeed, the tapping of an individual button is perhaps the least significant event on the planet, shifting nothing apart from the dust beneath it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Decades-long legal battle The Supreme Court decision to overturn Glossip’s conviction and death sentence last year marked a major turning point in his decades-long legal battle.—
Linh Tran,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
But the frenzied redistricting battle of the past few months — including a congressional map in his home state thrown out by a court after people voted to approve it, and certain elections postponed in Louisiana and Alabama after mail ballots already went out — has done it.—
Miles Parks,
NPR,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Residents at a homeowner association meeting in April questioned how an Iron Mountain data center crept into their backyard unnoticed.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
-
Americans are seriously questioning his handling of key issues, such as inflation, immigration, jobs and foreign affairs.—
Tatishe Nteta,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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