Synonyms of contest

contest 1 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌtest 

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

• competition
• rivalry
• battle
• struggle
• duel
• contention
• warfare
• confrontation
• war
• conflict
• match
• sweepstakes
• strife
• showdown
• face-off
• clash
• ball game
• tug-of-war
• combat
• dogfight
• debate
• grapple
• dispute
• disputation
• horse race
• friction
• argument
• collision
• quarrel
• nail-biter
• controversy
• discord
• row
• disagreement
• dissension
• wrangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• harmony
• concord

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

• tournament
• competition
• event
• game
• match
• championship
• sweepstakes
• tourney
• bout
• sport
• matchup
• meet
• battle
• race
• skirmish
• athletics
• semifinal
• tussle
• tug-of-war
• derby
• struggle
• scrimmage
• final
• open
• outing
• marathon
• conflict
• triathlon
• play-off
• gymkhana
• pentathlon
• round
• decathlon
• runoff
• biathlon
• heat
• field day
• ultramarathon
• national(s)
• round-robin
• rubber
• heptathlon
• volley
• seesaw
• rally
• nightcap
• sudden death
• dead heat
• run
• set
• photo finish
• classic

3

as in skirmish

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups

what mighty contests have been waged on trivial matters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skirmish
• battle
• clash
• fight
• struggle
• fray
• tussle
• scuffle
• brawl
• scrimmage
• duel
• dustup
• conflict
• confrontation
• fracas
• combat
• altercation
• scrum
• scrap
• dispute
• quarrel
• pitched battle
• face-off
• battle royal
• blows
• fistfight
• slugfest
• rough-and-tumble
• hassle
• melee
• joust
• free-for-all
• fisticuffs
• row
• affray
• mix-up
• spat
• controversy
• tangle
• donnybrook
• squabble
• ruckus
• punch-up
• broil
• catfight
• argument
• cross fire
• tiff
• wrangle
• contretemps
• punch-out
• ruction
• falling-out
• misunderstanding
• disagreement
• grapple
• kickup
• handgrips
• argle-bargle
• argy-bargy

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenge
• question
• dispute
• impeach
• query
• doubt
• call in question
• protest
• oppugn
• fight
• resist
• kick (about)
• object (to)
• oppose
• combat
• mistrust

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believe
• accept
• support
• defend
• embrace
• swallow
• back
• promote
• advocate
• champion
• endure
• abide
• tolerate
• stomach

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contest

Noun

Thursday’s result settled the third of four contests for the seat this year. — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Throughout the day, visitors can see Birds and Exotics of the World, Pirates Dinner Adventure, Wild Garden Bellydance, MacSilver’s Irish Pirates and, finally, the costume contest on the main stage. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Since entering the league in 2022-23 after one season at UCLA, Watson ranks second in field goal percentage allowed among players to contest at least 2,000 shots. — Janis Carr, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2026

Paul Schmidt, a Covington & Burling trial attorney representing Meta, contested O'Neill's arguments, and disputed the notion that Meta executives misled the public with their statements about child safety. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026