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
Justin Thomas, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The Bruins have played just a handful of competitive games in their conference this season, with a 69-66 win over Michigan last month and an 82-75 victory at Ohio State in December their closest contests.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
As the Avalanche continue to lead the entire league in the standings, the addition of Blankenburg provides depth at defense during a career year in points for the American, who had 21 points through 49 contests with Nashville this season.
—Jack Lowenstein, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
The golf tournament includes breakfast, lunch, contests and a silent auction.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Keyonte George came back after a six-game absence and started in three contests.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Before then, the reserve center had only played once in the last nine games and just three times in the past 15 contests.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
The Mavericks remain on home ice next week, too, with a Wednesday game against the Tulsa Oilers, followed by Friday-Saturday contests against the Tahoe Knight Monsters at Cable Dahmer Arena.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
As the first primaries in the 2026 midterm elections kick off on Tuesday, Democrats once again are dealing with divides in their party, including over generational change and immigration enforcement, in contests where progressives are taking on incumbents.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 27 Feb. 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
The teams had split a pair of District 11-4A meetings during the regular season, but after surrendering an average of 78 points in those contests Kimball limited Pinkston to just 51 on Friday.
—Justin Thomas, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The Bruins have played just a handful of competitive games in their conference this season, with a 69-66 win over Michigan last month and an 82-75 victory at Ohio State in December their closest contests.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
As the Avalanche continue to lead the entire league in the standings, the addition of Blankenburg provides depth at defense during a career year in points for the American, who had 21 points through 49 contests with Nashville this season.
—Jack Lowenstein, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
The golf tournament includes breakfast, lunch, contests and a silent auction.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Keyonte George came back after a six-game absence and started in three contests.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Before then, the reserve center had only played once in the last nine games and just three times in the past 15 contests.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
The Mavericks remain on home ice next week, too, with a Wednesday game against the Tulsa Oilers, followed by Friday-Saturday contests against the Tahoe Knight Monsters at Cable Dahmer Arena.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
As the first primaries in the 2026 midterm elections kick off on Tuesday, Democrats once again are dealing with divides in their party, including over generational change and immigration enforcement, in contests where progressives are taking on incumbents.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 27 Feb. 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
-
With the renewal secured, viewers can look forward to more high-stakes deals, intense rivalries, complicated relationships that have made the show such a standout.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Watch the All Elite Wrestling show with diverse male and female wrestlers and epic rivalries.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As someone who frequently spends weekends on the lake or traveling to and from children’s sporting tournaments, durable products that can withstand transferring from the truck to the boat and everywhere in between are necessary.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Brunner said business picks up when state tournaments start in February.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, Washington stages high-volume skirmishes over symbolic and petty conflicts.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Pakistan and neighboring India, both nuclear armed powers, have periodically engaged in wars, clashes and skirmishes since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Of course, this is exactly what Americans are seeing from ICE agents, why ICE has lost the trust of the majority of the American people, and why ICE is losing dozens of federal and state court challenges nationwide.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Minnesota’s lawsuit challenges the withholding of $243 million of this money.—
Audrey McAvoy,
Twin Cities,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Today, Rodeo Austin blends traditional livestock shows and rodeo competitions with concerts, food and family attractions.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This time, they — like the Olympics — will be scattered across northern Italy, with competitions clustered in Milan, Cortina D'Ampezzo and Val di Fiemme.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Doncic joined Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West as the only players in Lakers history with 10 40-point games in one season.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Hintz had 15 goals and 29 assists in 52 games for Dallas this season entering Friday.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the southern Gulf Stream clashes with the northern Labrador Current, the rough waters steer sailors toward shallow shoals and ultimate disaster.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Gyllenhaal tells me, wryly — of behind-the-scenes clashes between the director and the studio.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That nobody ever questions Louise is part of the conceit.—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
-
By juxtaposing humble materials like wood and tagua-nut shell with diamonds and gemstones, the line also questions conventional notions of what’s truly precious.—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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