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
Npr Staff, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
Participants can submit entries through Outschool’s dedicated contest page, with themes centered on creativity, confidence, and self-expression.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The country's largest opposition party Chadema was banned from contesting the elections and its leader Tundu Lissu is currently on trial on treason charges.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
Voting concludes Tuesday for elections in a number of states and localities, and perhaps the highest-profile contest is one that was only scheduled a few months ago.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
Participants can submit entries through Outschool’s dedicated contest page, with themes centered on creativity, confidence, and self-expression.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
Perhaps coincidentally, City and Chelsea contested that season’s Champions League final.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The country's largest opposition party Chadema was banned from contesting the elections and its leader Tundu Lissu is currently on trial on treason charges.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
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Starbucks has also come under intense competition from the surging popularity of tea drinks chains like Mixue Bingcheng, ChaGee and HeyTea.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
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Several banks lowered their price targets following the earnings report, pointing to increasing competition from larger social platforms like Instagram and TikTok and concerns over macro headwinds.—
Jaures Yip,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Before her five-wicket haul, Sharma (58) posted her third half-century of the tournament to help India reached the second highest total in a World Cup final after Australia’s 356-5 against England in 2022.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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The tournament gave him valuable in-game reps and confidence that carried into the fall.—
Grant Afseth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Archaeologist Tony Pollard said that initial analysis indicates their finds were some of the last shots fired during the skirmish.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Pro Bowl defensive linemen Derrick Brown was forced to physically remove Robinson from the skirmish as teammates on both sides tried to intervene.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The rise of autocratic Russia and China has challenged this global order.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Kimberly-Clark has been attempting to challenge the dominance of consumer goliath Procter & Gamble, whose business spans all drugstore aisles, including cold and digestion medicines.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Spurs were inept and disjointed on Saturday, losing 1-0 against Chelsea in a rivalry the club don’t tolerate losing easily.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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That is because their brightness may be strongly affected by the age of the progenitor stars of these explosive events.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Prince William's biggest event of the year went head-to-head with Prince Harry's support for military veterans during a trip to Canada on Wednesday.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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History buffs should head to Saratoga National Historic Park, which was the site of two pivotal Revolutionary War battles.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
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What began as a grassroots open-records request has now branched into a multifront legal battle.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sarah Moore, executive director of the Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, questioned the legality of using American Rescue Plan Act funds for the project.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Naysayers on both sides attack, question Newsom's effectiveness Newsom's White House ambitions remain just that, for now.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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