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
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Above them the inscription records that the contest was a draw; both have been granted a reprieve.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
If the case is contested, this could take several months or longer, depending on court schedules and complexity.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
The news came as a disappointment to the thousands of kids who entered a contest to give the dinosaur a new name after legal disputes over licensing of the name Sue erupted.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Above them the inscription records that the contest was a draw; both have been granted a reprieve.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
The exact figure is contested, but the strategic logic behind it is not.
—Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
If the case is contested, this could take several months or longer, depending on court schedules and complexity.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
The Invictus Games are a Paralympic-style competition for wounded and recovering service members and veterans from around the world.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
His passion for off-roading and extreme competition now extends to his two sons, who have caught the Currie racing fervor.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also for the first time, players can wear data-collecting portable devices on court in order to gain information on their physical performances, tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said at a news conference on Thursday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic, 109-97, in the NBA play-in tournament Wednesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena and will play the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With no end to the larger skirmish in sight, fears persist that the shipment of medical supplies could remain at risk.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Quero challenged, and again it was overturned to a strike.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Braves challenged, and the call was overturned when the replay showed the throw from shortstop Dubón landing in Olson's glove just before Edwards' cleats landed on first base for the third out.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Penguins showed a video tribute honoring Ovechkin and his longstanding rivalry with Crosby during a television timeout in the second period.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The couple has previously playfully acknowledged their rivalry.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Subscribe today Hello, this is Hui Jie writing to you from Singapore, while Leonie is away preparing for CNBC’s CONVERGE LIVE event, featuring names like former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Capital Group CEO Mike Gitlin.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The plots of these shows usually center on a murder, which occurs not so much to end a human life as to inconvenience our star, who must postpone a brunch or a media event to conceal an inconvenient corpse.—
Libby Gelman-Waxner,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Navy has 16 warships — 11 destroyers, three amphibious assault ships, an aircraft carrier and a littoral combat ship — in the Middle East out of a battle force of roughly 300 total warships.—
Konstantin Toropin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Navy has 16 warships — 11 destroyers, three amphibious assault ships, an aircraft carrier, and a littoral combat ship — in the Middle East out of a battle force of roughly 300 total warships.—
Konstantin Toropin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Don't hurt me … Terry Rose was immediately transported to the police department where Wilson and Tamayo were waiting to question him.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Butler said on Friday that police were questioning Brian Hooker on a potential charge of causing harm resulting in death.—
Adam Sabes , Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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