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
Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Because of the potential for wintry precipitation, several schools chose to reschedule their games for Thursday, including five of the six Class 6A contests.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
The Maple Leafs fell to 1-2-2 across their last five contests following an 8-0-2 run.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Money, power, and corruption are miniaturized to the same scale as talent contests, school uniforms, and young love, suggesting that Cash’s comic chops tend toward absurdity rather than satire.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
And the past two elections have been the closest contests for governor in the past 60 years.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Gathering of photography enthusiasts for hands-on learning, program speakers, contests, field trips, and sharing of photography expertise.
—Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2026
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
Their next six contests are here.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
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
Attendees can expect activities such as speed dating, sexy apple pie-eating contests, tarot card readers, and live DJ sets for those whose game is strongest on the dance floor.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Because of the potential for wintry precipitation, several schools chose to reschedule their games for Thursday, including five of the six Class 6A contests.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
The Maple Leafs fell to 1-2-2 across their last five contests following an 8-0-2 run.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Money, power, and corruption are miniaturized to the same scale as talent contests, school uniforms, and young love, suggesting that Cash’s comic chops tend toward absurdity rather than satire.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
And the past two elections have been the closest contests for governor in the past 60 years.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Gathering of photography enthusiasts for hands-on learning, program speakers, contests, field trips, and sharing of photography expertise.
—Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2026
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
Their next six contests are here.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
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The San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets will meet again tonight in a matchup that remains one of the NBA's most heated rivalries, even as both franchises enter a rebuilding phase.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
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Instead, the book spends over 300 pages meticulously detailing abusers, lovers, film schedules, fashion fittings, trips, rivalries and acting lessons.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Players must submit their name in the portal in that timeframe, which is a change from previous seasons when the portal opened for 30 days after the start of the second round of the NCAA tournaments.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
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Mater Dei has captured three tournaments this season.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
22 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
-
Seized by divine visions, Mesut challenges his brother’s leadership to save his people.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Why mixing workouts may matter Bringing variety into your exercise routine challenges the body in different ways, which may help explain the results.—
Ciara Lucas,
SELF,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The wines have gained recognition in international competitions and among sommeliers and critics.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Adamson spends weekends hosting competitions, refereeing events and helping build a broader robotics community across South Florida.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Los Angeles Lakers have dropped six of their past 10 games and criticism of the team ramped up Thursday after the Los Angeles Clippers knocked off their crosstown rival.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Gordon missed 19 consecutive games earlier this season with the same injury.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
24 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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Smith, who now serves on GLAAD’s board of directors, questions this assessment.—
David Canfield,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Junglee’s bold innovative approach meets Raj Kumar Gupta’s unflinching storytelling, crafting stories that questions the status quo.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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