1
as in competition
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 tournament
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 skirmish
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 to challenge
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 contest
Cbs La Staff, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Weekly gathering of photography enthusiasts for hands-on learning, program speakers, contests, field trips, and sharing of photography expertise.
—Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Hundreds more lawsuits Meta and YouTube had denied the lawsuit’s claims and contested the idea that their platforms could be addictive.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Noun
Only one winner per household is permitted in any contest.
—Cbs La Staff, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Weekly gathering of photography enthusiasts for hands-on learning, program speakers, contests, field trips, and sharing of photography expertise.
—Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
These words were intensely politically damaging to Biden, yet Hur did not worry that Biden lacked a legal forum to contest Hur’s assessment.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Hundreds more lawsuits Meta and YouTube had denied the lawsuit’s claims and contested the idea that their platforms could be addictive.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contest
Noun
-
One of the two women's boxing gold medalists at the center of the gender controversy in Paris, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, has passed her gene test and can return to competition, the World Boxing governing body said last week.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The Sora rollback is part of a broader shift within OpenAI, once the undisputed frontrunner in the AI race that now faces serious competition from rivals such as Anthropic and Google.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Outside the arena, the NCAA March Madness Fan Fest drew crowds with music, food and activities, adding to the tournament atmosphere.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
His points were the most by a Texas player in an NCAA Tournament game since Kevin Durant scored 30 against USC in the second round of the 2007 tournament.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In a dangerous escalation from cross-border skirmishes, Pakistan launched air strikes at the end of February, targeting major cities including Kabul.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Peaky Blinders don’t really lose any men at all in this skirmish.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pittsburgh challenged for goaltender interference but was unsuccessful.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Courtesy Safa Sefidgari Last year, the couple joined a group lawsuit challenging the administration’s travel ban.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Knicks beat the Nets for the 14th straight time, the longest winning streak for either team in the local rivalry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Manchester City This must feel like being between a rock and a hard place for Manchester United fans given their long-standing rivalries with both clubs.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Almanac introduced the beer during a public event at its Alameda brewery on March 21.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Since early February, residents of the Big Bend region have been outspoken about border wall plans — both on social media and through in-person events hosted in cities in Brewster and Presidio counties.—
Lexi Salazar,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the time of the initial gun battle, the MacEgans were on an afternoon walk through a nearby field.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
So California may be readying to wage a two-front battle — the familiar one against smog, but a second, altogether new one, against an administration determined to let California get smoggy again.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some also questioned why a district in the heart of Silicon Valley is facing financial strain.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Emails show that Sands questioned whether police looked at Jalloh for an unrelated stabbing homicide in June.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contest. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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