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
Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Teams such as the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx are holding three exhibition contests before their season opener.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Edwards has shot better than 40% from the field in just one of his last six playoff games against Denver, yet Minnesota is 4-2 in those contests.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
As with most pro surfers who grew up in the region, Granger has done his fair share of contests at the famed pier.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
In their quest to regain control of both chambers of Congress, Democratic candidates are outraising Republicans in key contests that will decide the House and Senate majorities even as the national party faces record low approval ratings from voters.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Six of their last nine games have been against Philadelphia, and Chicago has scored at least five runs in each of the contests.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The Kings may have bolstered their belief by staying with the Avs for two games at Ball Arena, but those contests have had a similar effect for the club that’s already up 2-0.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2026
After being held off the scoresheet in her first three games in a Fleet sweater, Eldridge has pocketed five goals in her last five games as the second-place Fleet (15-5-2-5) make a push for first place with three contests remaining on the regular-season slate.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 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
Then the club lost its first match, 2-1 in Portland, on the way to dropping eight points in the past three league contests, each against conference opponents.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Teams such as the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx are holding three exhibition contests before their season opener.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Edwards has shot better than 40% from the field in just one of his last six playoff games against Denver, yet Minnesota is 4-2 in those contests.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
As with most pro surfers who grew up in the region, Granger has done his fair share of contests at the famed pier.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
In their quest to regain control of both chambers of Congress, Democratic candidates are outraising Republicans in key contests that will decide the House and Senate majorities even as the national party faces record low approval ratings from voters.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Six of their last nine games have been against Philadelphia, and Chicago has scored at least five runs in each of the contests.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The Kings may have bolstered their belief by staying with the Avs for two games at Ball Arena, but those contests have had a similar effect for the club that’s already up 2-0.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2026
After being held off the scoresheet in her first three games in a Fleet sweater, Eldridge has pocketed five goals in her last five games as the second-place Fleet (15-5-2-5) make a push for first place with three contests remaining on the regular-season slate.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 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
-
Over the course of three decades, multiple law enforcement agencies tried to crack the case as conspiracy theories involving complex gang and music-related rivalries swirled.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
A lot of these fishing tournaments are won by these younger anglers that really haven’t studied the body of water, don’t know it like the older fishermen, but are still extremely successful with the new technology.—
Mike McFeely,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
One name to watch for future state tournaments is Clara Barnhart.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Speaking with the Tribune on Monday, Talley’s mother, Tamika Vaughen, said her son has been in and out of treatment facilities and medicated for mental health challenges his entire life.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The book, along with the show and 50 artists, really challenges old notions of what textile is.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Might the physical toil of the other competitions play a part in the final destination of the league title?—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Once the films are finished, one filmmaker will be chosen to receive an additional $10,000 grant and invited to join the AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network of emerging filmmakers who have won AGBO fellowships or competitions.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, allowed two goals in the first period and never fully recovered in a 5-1 loss to the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday, as San Jose was swept in the best-of-three first-round series two games to none at Lee’s Family Forum.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This will be one of a record nine international games scheduled for the 2026 season, which will take place across four continents in seven countries.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Transportation future While most Coloradans want properly maintained roads, Restore Our Roads clashes with voters’ broader wishes, said Matt Frommer, transportation and land use policy manager for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, an environmental advocacy group.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Last year, clashes between farmers and herders in southwestern Chad left 42 people dead and several homes burned.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … SECURITY SHAKEUP — Lawmaker questions hotel metal detector setup at Correspondent's Dinner.—
,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, there has been a major shift in Washington’s regulatory tone and outlook, creating opportunities but also questions about the longevity of changes in rules.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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