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
Relevance
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
Teresa Liu, Daily News, 29 May 2026
Three of seven Board of Education seats are on the ballot Tuesday in comparatively low-spending contests with incumbents as overwhelming favorites.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
As potential program and service cuts loom during a precarious fiscal year, the memorandum cited the urgency of reducing costs associated with two-step electoral contests.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
But neither state is as racially, politically or geographically diverse as Democrats want for the contests at the front of their primary calendar.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Rozier, 32, was charged Thursday in a superseding indictment in Brooklyn federal court with bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy.
—Rebecca Boone, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Each of our guides starts with the governor’s race, as well as other statewide and congressional races, before filtering down to local contests.
—Chris Fusco
may 29, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
After a double-overtime thriller to start the series, the teams have traded haymakers in the last five contests, setting up a one-game showdown for the right to play in the NBA Finals.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 May 2026
There will be performances headlined by Switchfoot, appearances by musical guests, surf contests, interactive brand activations, local vendor and nonprofit booths.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Mae Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Water and Oxygen Disruption Phillips also contests the notion that weed fabrics are as breathable as they're advertised to be.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 21 May 2026
The current insurgency directly contests Pakistan’s capacity to deliver security in Balochistan.
—Amira Jadoon, The Conversation, 13 May 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
While much of the attention heading into Tuesday’s election has focused on the Los Angeles mayoral race, voters will also decide several lower-profile but influential city contests that could decide how City Hall handles legal matters, financial oversight and public spending.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 29 May 2026
Three of seven Board of Education seats are on the ballot Tuesday in comparatively low-spending contests with incumbents as overwhelming favorites.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
As potential program and service cuts loom during a precarious fiscal year, the memorandum cited the urgency of reducing costs associated with two-step electoral contests.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
But neither state is as racially, politically or geographically diverse as Democrats want for the contests at the front of their primary calendar.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Rozier, 32, was charged Thursday in a superseding indictment in Brooklyn federal court with bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy.
—Rebecca Boone, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Each of our guides starts with the governor’s race, as well as other statewide and congressional races, before filtering down to local contests.
—Chris Fusco
may 29, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
After a double-overtime thriller to start the series, the teams have traded haymakers in the last five contests, setting up a one-game showdown for the right to play in the NBA Finals.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 May 2026
There will be performances headlined by Switchfoot, appearances by musical guests, surf contests, interactive brand activations, local vendor and nonprofit booths.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Verb
The decision becomes final after 180 days unless the payer contests the bill.
—Mae Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Water and Oxygen Disruption Phillips also contests the notion that weed fabrics are as breathable as they're advertised to be.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 21 May 2026
The current insurgency directly contests Pakistan’s capacity to deliver security in Balochistan.
—Amira Jadoon, The Conversation, 13 May 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
-
Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing).—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
-
Student athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness, but college sports still needs real rules, competitive balance, rivalries, and a true connection to education.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
In all, Mesa made 13 JUCO tournaments before transitioning to a four-year school.—
James Burky,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
Federer extends his quarterfinal streak at major tournaments to 28 with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Stanislas Wawrinka.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Inconspicuous blows against Denver escalated to skirmishes.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
Thankfully, none of these skirmishes affects the guests’ satisfaction with the trip.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
This challenges our traditional view of the CEO’s role, turning it into the single, central point of integration — an approach only viable in a small handful of the most powerful tech companies.—
Adrienne Down Coulson,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
-
Our mission is to create bold, cinematic film and television that challenges perception, sparks conversation, and leaves a lasting emotional imprint.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Pressure is a privilege and, in our case, the players took those competitions seriously.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
The 23-year-old has performed when called upon in the cup competitions and was expected, before Donnarumma’s sudden arrival, to compete to be a starting Premier League goalkeeper.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The Trojans, who’ve lost four of their last five games, must beat Lamar University on Saturday to keep their season alive.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Pending the rest of the weekend’s games, Summit FC stands in eighth place in the NWSL ahead of a 35-day break.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Outside the facility’s gates, there have been clashes between federal immigration officials and demonstrators.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Days of protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Newark, New Jersey, have led to clashes between demonstrators and officers and a handful of arrests.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
No one questions their autonomy.—
Robert Henderson,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Rawlence also questions whether what Colossal is doing is really reviving extinct species.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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