1
as in rivalries
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 tournaments
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 skirmishes
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 challenges
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 contests
Finch Walker, USA Today, 15 May 2026
That’s not to discount the other five division contests on the Panthers’ schedule.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
After turning in a quality start in 19 of the Royals’ first 36 games, the staff’s starters have just one in their last eight contests.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Those include contests against warm-weather Miami and Houston, as well as Buffalo and Detroit.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The reallocation of Sunday afternoon games will not materially impact the availability of free OTA contests at the level of the individual fan.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
The race, like most midterm contests, is shaping up to be a referendum on the president, who is underwater nationally in nearly every poll.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 May 2026
See the results from the Indiana contests, here.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Votes will also be counted in contests for semiautonomous parliaments in Scotland and Wales.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Amira Jadoon, The Conversation, 13 May 2026
Israel contests the allegation, saying the vessel hasn’t entered port and Ukraine has failed to provide sufficient evidence or legal requests.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Here, Sarr successfully contests a 13-foot floater by Tyler Kolek.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The high court’s decision did not address the underlying merits of the lawsuit, which contests the Department of Homeland Security’s revocation policy.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
If the president contests that decision, Congress must resolve the dispute, requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers to maintain the vice president's authority.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
Pennsylvania's largest anime convention will feature contests where guests can show off their lipsyncing, scale model building and dance skills; musical guests and karaoke experiences; collectible games; educational panels and workshops; exhibit halls and vendors; and more.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 15 May 2026
That’s not to discount the other five division contests on the Panthers’ schedule.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
After turning in a quality start in 19 of the Royals’ first 36 games, the staff’s starters have just one in their last eight contests.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Those include contests against warm-weather Miami and Houston, as well as Buffalo and Detroit.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The reallocation of Sunday afternoon games will not materially impact the availability of free OTA contests at the level of the individual fan.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
The race, like most midterm contests, is shaping up to be a referendum on the president, who is underwater nationally in nearly every poll.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 May 2026
See the results from the Indiana contests, here.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Votes will also be counted in contests for semiautonomous parliaments in Scotland and Wales.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Verb
The current insurgency directly contests Pakistan’s capacity to deliver security in Balochistan.
—Amira Jadoon, The Conversation, 13 May 2026
Israel contests the allegation, saying the vessel hasn’t entered port and Ukraine has failed to provide sufficient evidence or legal requests.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Here, Sarr successfully contests a 13-foot floater by Tyler Kolek.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The high court’s decision did not address the underlying merits of the lawsuit, which contests the Department of Homeland Security’s revocation policy.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
If the president contests that decision, Congress must resolve the dispute, requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers to maintain the vice president's authority.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contests
Noun
-
One of the fiercest divisional rivalries in the NFL will have a new look to it.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Cherfilus-McCormick referenced a previous interaction with Wasserman Schultz, signaling that political rivalries could intensify if both enter the race for District 20.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The Lions are hoping their recent showings at international tournaments plus Mané’s experience and leadership can power the country to its best finish since 2002, when Senegal made its memorable run to the quarterfinals.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
Qatar swept away its pre-kickoff controversy to serve up one of the best tournaments ever in 2022.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The game was delayed with just under six minutes on the clock after several skirmishes broke out, leading to the ejections of Seals captain Wes Berg and Toronto’s Elijah Gash.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The new format challenges players to solve five-letter word puzzles in a battle of smarts, speed and fun.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
In 2021 researchers found a quasicrystal—a kind of matter scientists once thought impossible that challenges traditional ideas about how solids form.—
Clara Moskowitz,
Scientific American,
11 May 2026
Noun
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As YouTube has invested in its lean-back offerings designed for TV viewers, ESPN has brought more longform and live content to the platform, including live streams of elite youth basketball, flag football and volleyball competitions.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
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Cooking competitions bring together local chefs and home cooks, who showcase their creativity with traditional recipes and creative interpretations of the fruit.—
Taryn White,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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There’s also a spacious indoor area filled with educational toys and games, and the friendly staff facilitate thoughtful activities like Nautical Knot Tying, Anguillan Boat Racing, nature walks, steel drum lessons, and sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and pickleball.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
The Angels had won seven consecutive games against the Dodgers, the franchise’s longest winning streak against its crosstown rival.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The most recent back-and-forth over talks comes after a week of sporadic clashes in the Persian Gulf, amid a month-long ceasefire.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, small-scale clashes continued around the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The Department of Homeland Security did not answer Charlotte Observer questions about their use of force policies and how cases are documented.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
Sokoloff questions whether the city is delivering better services than before Mejia took office.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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