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
Gary Bedore
june 18, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2026
The November matchup between Collins and Ossoff is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate contests in the country and could play a major role in determining the balance of power in Washington.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Both contests recognize excellence in visual storytelling and design, across print and digital platforms for work produced in 2025.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Pingree and Charles won their primaries Friday, after the June 9 contests advanced to ranked choice voting.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
Both days will also feature food-eating contests and art from Rancho Cordova students.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
However, there are some signs that the USA’s key weakness – its defense – could be a risk in future contests.
—David Close, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Another solid night from Williams Williams recorded her third game of at least 20 points in the last five contests.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Bryce Eldridge is in a groove, homering in his previous two contests.
—Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 12 June 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
Peterson missed 11 games in 2026-27 because of illness or cramping and asked out of several other contests.
—Gary Bedore
june 18, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2026
The November matchup between Collins and Ossoff is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate contests in the country and could play a major role in determining the balance of power in Washington.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Both contests recognize excellence in visual storytelling and design, across print and digital platforms for work produced in 2025.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Pingree and Charles won their primaries Friday, after the June 9 contests advanced to ranked choice voting.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
Both days will also feature food-eating contests and art from Rancho Cordova students.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
However, there are some signs that the USA’s key weakness – its defense – could be a risk in future contests.
—David Close, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Another solid night from Williams Williams recorded her third game of at least 20 points in the last five contests.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Bryce Eldridge is in a groove, homering in his previous two contests.
—Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 12 June 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
-
From legendary investors to rising disruptors, host Maneet Ahuja unpacks the convictions, rivalries and bold ideas driving today’s markets and tomorrow’s economy.—
Maneet Ahuja,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
While the two keep drinking and wait for a rare lunar event, old grievances, outrageous escapades, and macho rivalries explode to the surface.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Sarah Strong is not playing any international tournaments this summer, and limiting her on-court wear and tear to try to get her calf and Achilles issues behind her.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
-
The legend from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, won numerous major tournaments over an illustrious career that spanned several decades.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.—
Gabriel Sama,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
-
Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The case challenges the agency’s practice of holding noncitizens for sometimes days in facilities without a bed or other adequate accommodations.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
-
That’s what makes shadow AI fundamentally different from the shadow IT challenges companies have dealt with for years.—
Syed Ali,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
Measles has spread as a result of travel to international sports competitions before.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Master Mini, approximately one meter tall, is designed for education and robotic sports competitions, while Nova, standing about 50 centimeters tall, is intended as an entry-level educational and companion robot for children.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
No team has ever forced an opponent into scoring an own goal in back-to-back games.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
-
Gelof extended his hitting streak to 23 games — the longest active run in the majors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Social interactions may stir up complicated feelings when the Libra moon clashes with Mercury.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
Enter Maddie’s Secret, Early’s directorial debut, which follows a chef at GourMaybe Test Kitchen whose rising place in the food-influencer world clashes with her lifelong struggle with bulimia.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Someone who questions burnout culture may be perceived as less committed.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
President again questions election results In the first round, Cepeda earned 41% of the vote, while de la Espriella garnered 44%, according to official results.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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