Synonyms of contests

contests 1 of 2

noun

plural of contest

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

• rivalries
• competitions
• battles
• duels
• struggles
• confrontations
• contentions
• conflicts
• matches
• wars
• sweepstakes
• warfares
• dogfights
• clashes
• strifes
• ball games
• face-offs
• combats
• tugs-of-war
• showdowns
• debates
• grapples
• disputes
• disputations
• horse races
• collisions
• quarrels
• arguments
• nail-biters
• frictions
• controversies
• discords
• disagreements
• wrangles
• rows
• dissensions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• harmonies
• concords
• peaces

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

• tournaments
• competitions
• games
• events
• matches
• sports
• championships
• sweepstakes
• bouts
• tourneys
• matchups
• meets
• battles
• races
• athletics
• skirmishes
• nationals
• scrimmages
• semifinals
• tussles
• outings
• derbies
• finals
• struggles
• heats
• marathons
• runs
• conflicts
• triathlons
• rounds
• rallies
• tugs-of-war
• gymkhanas
• runoffs
• field days
• volleys
• play-offs
• rubbers
• decathlons
• biathlons
• nightcaps
• ultramarathons
• sudden deaths
• sets
• round-robins
• seesaws
• classics
• pentathlons
• heptathlons
• dead heats
• photo finishes

3

as in skirmishes

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups

what mighty contests have been waged on trivial matters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skirmishes
• clashes
• fights
• battles
• scrimmages
• struggles
• brawls
• tussles
• scuffles
• duels
• dustups
• confrontations
• conflicts
• altercations
• frays
• fracases
• scraps
• combats
• scrums
• quarrels
• pitched battles
• disputes
• fistfights
• jousts
• slugfests
• blows
• hassles
• melees
• fisticuffs
• affrays
• broils
• controversies
• battles royal
• punch-outs
• squabbles
• tangles
• mix-ups
• spats
• face-offs
• ruckuses
• donnybrooks
• rows
• rough-and-tumbles
• wrangles
• catfights
• punch-ups
• free-for-alls
• arguments
• disagreements
• ructions
• contretemps
• tiffs
• kickups
• cross fires
• fallings-out
• misunderstandings
• handgrips
• grapples
• argle-bargles
• argy-bargies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truces

contests

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of contest

as in challenges

to demand proof of the truth or rightness of

vowed to contest the claim in court

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenges
• questions
• disputes
• queries
• protests
• calls in question
• doubts
• oppugns
• impeaches
• objects (to)
• fights
• kicks (about)
• opposes
• resists
• combats
• mistrusts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believes
• accepts
• embraces
• supports
• swallows
• backs
• defends
• champions
• advocates
• promotes
• endures
• tolerates
• abides
• stomachs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contests

Noun

The day also included tandem contests, where multiple dogs, as well as dogs and humans, shared the surfboard. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Florida’s August primary election is here, offering voters the opportunity to cast ballots in contests that will set up November clashes for governor, Congress and the state Legislature, and decide local races and referenda in counties and cities. — Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

In past years a school could choose to play either two exhibition contests with fans and media allowed, two secret scrimmages (no fans and no TV coverage) or one secret scrimmage and one exhibition. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Detroit’s rookie backstop started each of the past two MLB contests, but most importantly for fantasy, slotted into the DH spot, and hit sixth in the lineup, on Wednesday. — John Laghezza, New York Times, 31 July 2026

According to Delta, contests will be held twice a week, with top performers earning weekly and monthly Delta gift cards. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Iowa, the traditional starting point for presidential nominating contests, did not make the list of early states. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 31 July 2026

Mets fans will also have access to special contests, promotions, and digital content created specifically for this partnership. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Her dad’s work relocated to Hawaii, and that’s where she was introduced to big waves and women like herself who wanted to be included in contests. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 30 July 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