horse race

noun

Definition of horse racenext
1
as in ball game

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in photo finish

Related Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horse race
  1. ball game
  2. photo finish
  3. confrontation
  4. toss-up
  5. war
  6. duel
  7. combat
  8. contention
Noun
  • Root’s appointment allows Harry Brook, the Test vice-captain under Stokes, to continue developing his captaincy skills in the white-ball game ahead of next year’s 50-over World Cup.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • The Mariners have also learned what works best when inviting creators to experience a ball game.
    — Emma Cortes Ellendt, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of ball game
Noun
  • This is a very similar route to stage 11 from the 2024 Tour de France, won by Vingegaard in a photo finish ahead of Pogačar.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • Wednesday's episode of the long-running primetime game show came down to a photo finish between returning champion Dan Laine from Jersey City, AJ Maroney from Boston, and Katelyn Mueller-McLean from San Francisco.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
Definition of photo finish
Noun
  • Driscoll and others involved in the mission worried that something far less dramatic could derail it, such as an accidental weapon discharge, an isolated confrontation with a protester or a guardsman caught on camera behaving poorly.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • East and West are once again locked in a life-and-death confrontation, even as Putin fires off a fusillade of threats to launch nuclear missiles against any Western power that comes to Ukraine’s aid.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • In California, one toss-up race could determine leadership in the Central Valley.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Progressives did pick up a win in Michigan's one true toss-up district.
    — Saige Miller, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of toss-up
Noun
  • But last year, their relationship blew up amid a turf war over CPS employees.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • While pursuing conservative, anti-migrant policies domestically, Meloni adopted a pragmatic approach toward the European Union and became one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in its war against Russia.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of war
Noun
  • Hugh is murdered in the street by Jon Roxton, one of the conspirators, but the bowl-cut-sporting swordsman already had a big duel with Daemon in the first Battle of Tumbleton, so maybe somebody else will get the honors.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The starters were locked in a scoreless duel through five innings.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of duel
Noun
  • But his stateside duty proved to be more dangerous than his time in combat.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • This peak Millennial era was a mix of hipster and bohemian aesthetic, with skinny jeans, flannel shirts, flowy lace dresses, oversized felt hats, and combat boots or TOMS Shoes (Hey, remember those?
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of combat
Noun
  • The 24-year-old is quickly moving out of the contender group and into serious contention.
    — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer faces pressure to keep the Crimson Tide in national title contention following Ty Simpson’s departure for the NFL.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of contention
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

horsepower
horse race
horse races
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Cite this Entry

“Horse race.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20race. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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