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
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Arliya Docanto scored, and Lucy Calabrese added two insurance goals as Southeastern (1-2-3) defeated Falmouth Academy 3-1 in a nonleague contest.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
Sparks, Holly Jones, and King contested the results.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
Overall, though, the play-calling was solid Monday night, as Denver spread Cincinnati between the numbers and to the sidelines for most the contest.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Arliya Docanto scored, and Lucy Calabrese added two insurance goals as Southeastern (1-2-3) defeated Falmouth Academy 3-1 in a nonleague contest.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Depot Day at Travel Town Train Museum in Griffith Park will include high school jazz bands, docent tours, g-scale train displays, a Halloween Costume Parade (for members only) and contest along with train play area and more.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
Sparks, Holly Jones, and King contested the results.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
In-competition features showcase emerging filmmakers from around the world, there to debut feature, documentary and short films.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Since premiering in 2005, Olympic athletes, TV stars, internet personalities and singers have stepped into the ballroom to participate in the ABC reality dance competition show.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Eighteen nations are already guaranteed a spot in the tournament next June and July, meaning there are 30 (yes, 30) still to be decided.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
In 1997, the Shelby School won the Super Nationals chess tournament—and one year later, Rensch took home his first individual national championship title.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These issues are not unique to the WNBA, as its affiliate league, the NBA, has weathered refereeing controversies and skirmishes over player pay for years.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Each new development is underscored by a lingering discomfort about the racial dynamics of the skirmish and about Maja taking action where Nourou might have wanted to leave the whole thing be.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 2022 move to its current home, near South Coast Plaza, was widely viewed as a chance to raise the museum’s reputation and solidify its role as a place to be entertained and challenged by art.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The approval secured at a special meeting of shareholders held by Fubo on Tuesday still requires regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions for a deal that aims to create a much bigger player in the virtual multichannel video provider to challenge market leader YouTube TV.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Since the 1960s, a total of 18 Metro Nashville Public Schools have closed, and some very heated football rivalries ended with those closings.—
Mike Organ,
Nashville Tennessean,
29 Sep. 2025
-
But there’s no question that these tools are transforming the job experience for many tech workers amid an intense rivalry between leading AI companies to make the best one.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This event will be the first of three supermoons in 2025, with others in November and December.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Top 10 events in Cincinnati this weekend – Lions and pumpkins and beers (oh my).—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For Democrats, the battle marked a defining moment to demonstrate unity after earlier funding fights in which they were accused of caving to Republican demands.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
That was really the battle, less than the gut.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Israel Defense Forces’ chief of staff, Maj Gen Eyal Zamir, adamantly opposed the latest decision to take over Gaza City, and questioned the high-risk operation targeting Hamas leadership in Qatar.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Some have questioned the logic of building an artificial surf lagoon so close to the ocean.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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