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
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Half of those contests are in the Eastern timezone, as well.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
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, 19 Mar. 2026
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee invested millions into several House contests, hoping to box out progressive, anti-Israel candidates from winning safe Democratic strongholds.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
But in other contests, the AIPAC preferred candidate didn't prevail.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
There were six contested races for county board seats in the primary election – four Democratic primary contests and two Republican races.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Their next opponent is Charlotte (35-34), which sat 10th but had won seven of its past 10 contests.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
Local lowriders will participate in several community contests, andparticipants are encouraged to decorate their cars and show up in festive attire.
—Bella Monaco, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 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
Kim Caldwell’s crew has lost its last seven contests, but no one will wholly discount Tennessee in March.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Half of those contests are in the Eastern timezone, as well.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
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, 19 Mar. 2026
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee invested millions into several House contests, hoping to box out progressive, anti-Israel candidates from winning safe Democratic strongholds.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
But in other contests, the AIPAC preferred candidate didn't prevail.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
There were six contested races for county board seats in the primary election – four Democratic primary contests and two Republican races.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Their next opponent is Charlotte (35-34), which sat 10th but had won seven of its past 10 contests.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
Local lowriders will participate in several community contests, andparticipants are encouraged to decorate their cars and show up in festive attire.
—Bella Monaco, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 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
-
While community surveys showed support for the merger, some students expressed concern over losing traditions and rivalries.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The island’s legislature is considering a record defense outlay, but domestic political rivalries threaten to derail that effort.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Walk-up registration is available for most tournaments, but not the pro events.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The move to a summer-to-spring calendar aims to put MLS in a more competitive position for player transfers, while also freeing up its players for national team duties during the summer, when many major international tournaments take place.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
So far, most of the state-level legal skirmishes centered on Kalshi’s event contracts have involved cease-and-desist letters, seeking preliminary injunctions, and civil enforcement.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Republican legislators in several states, including Tennessee, Oklahoma and Ohio, are trying to pass legislation that challenges the Plyler decision.—
William McCorkle,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The lawsuit also challenges the FCC’s rationale for waiving of the duopoly rule, which prohibirs one company from owning more than two stations in the same market.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There will also be live music and entertainment, competitions and a peach pedal bike ride.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The only question is whether their uptick in performances is too little, too late — but Nuno’s side have only lost two of their last 12 matches in all competitions.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After all, the Zags boast the second-longest active NCAA Tournament streak at 27 consecutive appearances and have won 29 tournament games over the past 10 years, which is more than any other squad in the country.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Getafe is led by Mauro Arambarri, with five goals (33rd in LaLiga) through 28 games.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More than 20 people died in that incident, and another 30 were injured, and banknotes from the plane's cargo scattered around the crash site, prompting clashes between residents and security forces.—
Luis Jaime Acosta,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Taken together, the clashes in Virginia, New Jersey, Utah, Wisconsin, and other states point to a deeper institutional standoff.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Family questions police response Sye's other sister told CBS New Baltimore that the officers were too aggressive in their response.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Susan Hildreth, who led the agency from 2011 to 2015, questions the lack of information about the current process on the agency’s website.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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