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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contests
Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Gorst came back in both contests, including a late-night quarterfinal against Michael Baoanan, a player from the Philippines who was backed by a sizable cheering section that created a rowdier atmosphere.
—Jeremy Herb, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
But such contests typically are a referendum on the party that controls the White House, giving the GOP reason to be concerned.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Democrats routed the Republican Party from high-profile governors’ races to obscure local contests Tuesday, sweeping statewide races in Virginia and New Jersey while electing New York City’s first Muslim mayor.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2025
While all three teams are unbeaten heading into Week 11, McFarland thought the Aggies' resume was more impressive than what the Buckeyes have done through their first eight contests.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
That Democratic advantage there among disaffected voters mirrors trends seen in other contests Tuesday, including the New Jersey governor's race and the New York City mayoral election, NBC reported.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
But candidates’ political affiliations are easily viewable through North Carolina voter registration data, and both Mecklenburg County Democrats and the Mecklenburg County Republican Party endorsed candidates in this year’s school board contests.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
This year, all eyes are on just three contests nationwide—and most of the chatter has centered on Zohran Mamdani’s meteoric mayoral run across the Hudson as a democratic socialist.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
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
The Democratic Party is currently reevaluating its calendar for when those early contests will occur, but Hackett said Democrats hoping to run are still covering their bases.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Gorst came back in both contests, including a late-night quarterfinal against Michael Baoanan, a player from the Philippines who was backed by a sizable cheering section that created a rowdier atmosphere.
—Jeremy Herb, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
But such contests typically are a referendum on the party that controls the White House, giving the GOP reason to be concerned.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Democrats routed the Republican Party from high-profile governors’ races to obscure local contests Tuesday, sweeping statewide races in Virginia and New Jersey while electing New York City’s first Muslim mayor.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2025
While all three teams are unbeaten heading into Week 11, McFarland thought the Aggies' resume was more impressive than what the Buckeyes have done through their first eight contests.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
That Democratic advantage there among disaffected voters mirrors trends seen in other contests Tuesday, including the New Jersey governor's race and the New York City mayoral election, NBC reported.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
But candidates’ political affiliations are easily viewable through North Carolina voter registration data, and both Mecklenburg County Democrats and the Mecklenburg County Republican Party endorsed candidates in this year’s school board contests.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
This year, all eyes are on just three contests nationwide—and most of the chatter has centered on Zohran Mamdani’s meteoric mayoral run across the Hudson as a democratic socialist.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
-
Few crosstown rivalries can compare to the one Hingham and Notre Dame Academy have developed the past few decades.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The history of contemporary music is littered with hundreds of rivalries both amicable and otherwise.—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The $5 billion fund already invested in the Mutua Madrid Open and Miami Open tennis tournaments, in partnership with Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Insulated fishboxes, a 32-inch-wide dive door, and 14 rod holders assure anglers can fish tournaments, but an impeccable foredeck with recliners and double lounges means double duty for socializing.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
David Wolf, the executive director of the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Scottsbluff, said experts estimate that as many 10 people died for every mile of the trail ‒ perhaps as many as 20,000 travelers, plus an unknown number of Native Americans killed during skirmishes.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Amid the skirmishes that ensued, federal agents fired a chemical agent toward a protester at near-point-blank range, and security personnel later opened fire on a U-Haul truck that had backed up toward a barrier on the island’s bridge, injuring the driver and an apparent bystander.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The work also challenges the assumption that dew collection only works in humid climates.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Louisiana case challenges the state’s 2024 congressional map, which created a second majority-Black district.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
While he was banned from major competitions, Gorst traveled around the US playing smaller regional events that didn’t fall under pool’s international governing rules.—
Jeremy Herb,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The three-day event features million-dollar rodeo competitions each evening before the concerts.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Cardell Williams completed 8 of 11 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns to speedster Ernest Campbell as the Hornets won for the sixth time in their last eight outings with two conference games to go.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Meanwhile, up north, the 6-2 Seahawks are coming off an authoritative victory over the Washington Commanders last week and will try to extend their win streak to four games and hang onto their spot atop the division.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Since Assad’s ousting, Syria has seen flare-ups of deadly sectarian violence, with clashes erupting between security forces and those loyal to the former president, including in Syria’s coastal Latakia region in March.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
As for South Sudan, a senior United Nations official said earlier this week that the ongoing conflict in Sudan is causing destabilization in South Sudan, including armed clashes and food insecurity.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While Konnan questions her readiness, WWE is moving forward with Cargill as the brand's top female star.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Sean Grayson watches as defense attorney Mark Wykoff questions Kevin Davis, a law enforcement consultant with almost 50 years of experience in policing who has taught thousands of hours of advanced trainings on use of force.—
Selina Guevara,
NBC news,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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