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
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Carolina is 7-3 in one-score contests.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026
That follows a stretch of 12 contests in which just one opponent, Princeton, converted 10 or more long-distance shots against KU (Princeton hit 10).
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
In their first three contests without Jokic and Valanciunas, they were doubled up on offensive rebounds (40-20), outscored 61-30 on second-chance points and outrebounded overall by 38.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Discussions about improved access to the beach date back 15 years, when concerns were brought up during one of the bigger surf contests, the Nike Lowers Pro, between the nonprofit and the event organizers.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
All of the other contests won’t lack for intensity either given how most Illinoisans feel.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
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
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
Miami’s win Thursday improved the ACC’s record to 9-4 in bowl games and dropped the SEC to 2-8 this postseason (playoff and bowl games) in contests not involving two SEC schools.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Carolina is 7-3 in one-score contests.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026
That follows a stretch of 12 contests in which just one opponent, Princeton, converted 10 or more long-distance shots against KU (Princeton hit 10).
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
In their first three contests without Jokic and Valanciunas, they were doubled up on offensive rebounds (40-20), outscored 61-30 on second-chance points and outrebounded overall by 38.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Discussions about improved access to the beach date back 15 years, when concerns were brought up during one of the bigger surf contests, the Nike Lowers Pro, between the nonprofit and the event organizers.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
All of the other contests won’t lack for intensity either given how most Illinoisans feel.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
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
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
-
The barbs thrown back and forth, creating headlines and fueling rivalries.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
-
JSerra-Mater Dei soccer is among the better rivalries in Orange County sports.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And in between, there are ample other events, tournaments and series that fashion should be watching.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
13 Jan. 2026
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So, before each day of training, not in Monte Carlo or Barcelona where tournaments were happening but back home in Florida, Echevarria and Shelton’s father would talk about what movement to focus on.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced from their homes in both countries when border skirmishes broke out for the second time this year.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Dec. 2025
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For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-kilometer (508-mile) land border – a dispute that has occasionally exploded into skirmishes and fighting.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
From classic domestic getaways to sunny Caribbean escapes—and even a European city—the list challenges the assumption that travel costs are destined to rise.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
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That’s why our Five Borough Jobs Campaign — the only group in New York City representing businesses of all sizes in every borough — is proposing a comprehensive, proactive agenda to address the front line challenges our members face with resources and clarity.—
Tom Grech,
New York Daily News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
De Laurentiis took all the chaos in stride and was the expert judge for the cooking portion of the outrageous lineup of competitions.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Midwest's best winter fests include big-city ice-carving competitions as well as cozy small-town gatherings.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Purdy missed eight of the first 10 games with a toe injury, Kittle was out six with hamstring and ankle injuries, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk went AWOL after a 2024 knee injury.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Though the Heat is returning home for three games, Miami won’t be heavily favored to win any of them.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The investigation into the killing of a US citizen by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this week is being complicated by clashes between federal and local officials, with the FBI taking control over the objections of Governor Tim Walz.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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The powerful Sun clashes with Chiron by way of your chatter quadrant and your habit zone, encouraging you to address a tricky situation at work or in your neighborhood with courageous calm.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … WAR OF WORDS – Rubio fires back as ABC host repeatedly questions US authority over Venezuela.—
,
FOXNews.com,
5 Jan. 2026
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Commanders questions Commanders coach Dan Quinn is expected back for the 2026 season, though changes to the offense and the defense remain possible after Washington has slumped to a 4-12 record.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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