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
Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
For all you macabre-loving weirdos, HorrorHound Weekend is a great opportunity to meet other fans and industry professionals, participate in costume contests, get an autograph from a celebrity slasher and more.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
But the tension is palpable, with the San Francisco Giants just two games back, and riding the momentum of six wins in their last eight contests.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Sunday’s game against the Saints should be one of their easier contests of the campaign.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
The screenplay is written by Jesus Celaya, whose work has placed in major contests including Final Draft and BlueCat.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Players will enjoy a full day of activities including Hole-in-One and Closest to the Pin contests, a chance to win a car, fun sponsor experiences, lunch and refreshments, a gift from Callaway Golf and a lively awards dinner and multiple Opportunity Drawings.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Here are three takeaways from the Jays’ trio of contests against the Reds before a significant set against the Yankees.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
While hot chicken and ice cream eating contests are sure to be intense, the fair is planning to continue its tradition of handing out ribbons for several specialties, including baking, sewing, canning and photography, among others.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
Each club is scheduled to play two games per week under the new format, which is expected to eliminate back-to-back contests.
—Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
For all you macabre-loving weirdos, HorrorHound Weekend is a great opportunity to meet other fans and industry professionals, participate in costume contests, get an autograph from a celebrity slasher and more.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
But the tension is palpable, with the San Francisco Giants just two games back, and riding the momentum of six wins in their last eight contests.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Sunday’s game against the Saints should be one of their easier contests of the campaign.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
The screenplay is written by Jesus Celaya, whose work has placed in major contests including Final Draft and BlueCat.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Players will enjoy a full day of activities including Hole-in-One and Closest to the Pin contests, a chance to win a car, fun sponsor experiences, lunch and refreshments, a gift from Callaway Golf and a lively awards dinner and multiple Opportunity Drawings.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Here are three takeaways from the Jays’ trio of contests against the Reds before a significant set against the Yankees.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
While hot chicken and ice cream eating contests are sure to be intense, the fair is planning to continue its tradition of handing out ribbons for several specialties, including baking, sewing, canning and photography, among others.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
-
During his over five-decade career, Lawler was part of many iconic rivalries against the likes of Bret Hart, Kerry Von Erich, Terry Funk, Andy Kaufman, and much more.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
No doubt, rivalries and disagreements still exist.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 2025 Esports World Cup, held in July and August, is the pinnacle of gamer culture, a six-week celebration and competition featuring $70 million worth of prizes for tournaments in more than 20 video games.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Disc golf’s popularity has grown so fast that there are now dozens of top-tier professional tournaments each year.—
Nate Heinold,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still one of the NFL’s nastiest division rivalries, the game was full of skirmishes and a near-costly unnecessary roughness penalty late in the third against the Eagles that put the Cowboys in position to take the lead.—
Dan Gelston,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Ideological skirmishes over the motives and obligations of Carpenter’s music include both sincere interrogation of its feminism and smirking counteractive reprisals to that scrutiny.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The exhibition challenges traditional art historical narratives and showcases how these women embraced action painting, gestural abstraction, and large-scale experimentation to create dynamic, influential works.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
His second recommendation—renting instead of buying—challenges conventional wisdom about homeownership.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At launch, the feature will be available exclusively for UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League competitions on the web across desktops.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
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After it was completed in 2011, the London Aquatics Centre went on to serve as one of the main venues for swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming during the 2012 competitions.—
Mae Hamilton,
AFAR Media,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Petry spent the last two seasons back in Michigan with the Detroit Red Wings, but injuries limited him to 44 games in the 2024-25 season.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
With 15 games remaining, Smith may not have enough time to rehab the injury and return for the end of the regular season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At least 22 police officers were injured during the clashes, a spokesperson for Spain’s National Police told CNN.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Shots fired in San Bernardino, spike strips in Van Nuys, and clashes in Santa Ana highlight a rise in confrontations between immigration agents and civilians — a trend experts warn is intensifying across Southern California.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In her podcast, the high school senior grapples with her family's history and questions her own national identity.—
Steve Drummond,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The Broadway revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is ending its run almost a month early amid health struggles for its star and a lawsuit that questions what the production has been doing with its money.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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