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
ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
These super PACs also targeted state-level races and will likely soon make their way to the upcoming municipal contests.
—Delia Ramirez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The other 13% on streaming and cable platforms are made available on the local TV stations of the teams involved in those contests.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The Flyers have road games at Detroit and Winnipeg followed by home contests against Carolina and Montreal.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In addition to a round of traditional golf, the event included an array of separate challenges, including putting, longest drive and closest to the pin contests.
—Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
The ballot is packed, from city council races in fast-growing suburbs to school boards looking to fund expansion projects, though many contests remain low profile.
—From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Apr. 2026
After hearing some boos from their own fans during the third quarter of Wednesday’s game, the Magic travel to Dallas for a Friday matchup against a Mavericks squad that’s 2-8 in its past 10 contests.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The ancient Olympic Games are an early example of the contests in which humans have engaged to showcase physical prowess.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Yohuru Williams, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
One suit contests privacy-protection methods; the other seeks to exclude undocumented immigrants from numbers used to redraw congressional districts.
—Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 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
Curry had played the previous two contests in his return from a 27-game absence spanning two-plus months because of a right knee injury.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
These super PACs also targeted state-level races and will likely soon make their way to the upcoming municipal contests.
—Delia Ramirez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The other 13% on streaming and cable platforms are made available on the local TV stations of the teams involved in those contests.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The Flyers have road games at Detroit and Winnipeg followed by home contests against Carolina and Montreal.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In addition to a round of traditional golf, the event included an array of separate challenges, including putting, longest drive and closest to the pin contests.
—Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
The ballot is packed, from city council races in fast-growing suburbs to school boards looking to fund expansion projects, though many contests remain low profile.
—From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Apr. 2026
After hearing some boos from their own fans during the third quarter of Wednesday’s game, the Magic travel to Dallas for a Friday matchup against a Mavericks squad that’s 2-8 in its past 10 contests.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The ancient Olympic Games are an early example of the contests in which humans have engaged to showcase physical prowess.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
One lawsuit contests the federal government’s refusal to allow the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
—Yohuru Williams, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
One suit contests privacy-protection methods; the other seeks to exclude undocumented immigrants from numbers used to redraw congressional districts.
—Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 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
-
Timoja had been misinformed that the ruler of Goa, Yusuf Adil Shah, had died, leaving behind a young and inexperienced successor, and that internal rivalries among Deccan rulers had further weakened Goa.—
Sanat Pai RaikarAll,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But there were also rivalries — and who got to control a bigger share of the work was hotly contested.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Waxahachie festival features full-contact jousting tournaments, a mermaid lagoon, rides, games and entertainment on 20 stages.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of traditional 72-hole events, LIV tournaments originally consisted of 54 holes (three rounds of 18 holes).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Plank Kickthrough challenges the core and is a great way to perform abdominal work alongside a workout buddy.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This series, based on a true story, explores the life of Molly Kochan (Michelle Williams), a woman living with terminal cancer who navigates her illness and childhood trauma, blending comedy and profound honesty in a way that challenges traditional narratives around death and sexuality.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The professional darts player and reigning Dutch champion, 29, shared an emotional goodbye message to her sport after the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) ruled that transgender women will not be able to compete in women's competitions on Thursday, April 9.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The show includes floral arranging competitions, horticulture displays, demonstrations and lectures along with entertainment, beer and wine garden and shopping along with a Homefront competition that recognizes outstanding gardens of local homes and businesses.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Twins have at least one home run in 24 consecutive games in Toronto, hitting 51 total homers in those games.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Portland's Shaedon Sharpe returned after missing the last 28 games and finished with eight points in 15 minutes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Three newer ones — the USS Canberra, USS Santa Barbara and USS Tulsa — are equipped with advanced mine countermeasure, or MCM, packages that were intended to be useful in areas such as the Persian Gulf, the site of many wars involving clashes in the littoral zone, or shallow coastal areas.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
What should be a straightforward day of music grinds to a halt as the artists struggle to deal with personality clashes, an ambitious trumpeter named Levee (Boseman), and the band's mercurial frontwoman.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Memo from the Hill Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) questions former Special Counsel Jack Smith during a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, in Washington, DC on January 22, 2026.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
-
By the way, if anyone questions whether this is a rebuild, consider Aikman’s words.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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