CONTESTS Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

contests 1 of 2

noun

plural of contest

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

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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

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as in skirmishes

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups what mighty contests have been waged on trivial matters

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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

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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.

Recent Examples of contests

Noun

Woods also flashed early, but was relatively quiet in the first two preseason contests before getting into the backfield a couple of times Friday. — Sam McDowell 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 Very few mentioned anti-communism or socialism as a top factor for their vote, although cultural issues have been an effective wedge for Republicans in recent contests. — Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Following some thrilling contests and surprising results, the Premier League returns this weekend with the second round of matches for all 20 teams. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 Today, other contests are attracting more attention, and North Carolina has been a bit of a snooze. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 After announcing that Nix wouldn’t play in the preseason opener, the coach said the team’s starting quarterback would see the field in both of Denver’s other exhibition contests. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The World Cup next year will stream on Netflix, while TNT Sports has the rights to upcoming USWNT matches and Paramount+ streams most Women’s Super League contests. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Nationally, 30 state attorney general contests are on the ballot. — Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 An Emerson College survey testing potential 2028 contests found Ossoff ahead of both Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in hypothetical general election matchups. — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026

Verb

The family’s future is in limbo as Jeanie Buss contests her five siblings’ plans to sell their remaining stake of the team. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 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

College football is almost here, bringing back decades-long rivalries, close games and, of course, die-hard fan bases.

— Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Week 1 is full of national showdowns and nonregion rivalries.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalries

Noun

Finding community Amid the rise of pickleball tournaments and run clubs, fitness activities are increasingly becoming a venue for social connection.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
His son is an avid athlete and needs to be taken to tournaments, sometimes 100 miles away.

— David Ingram, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of tournaments

Noun

Its outcome will be a major milestone in the decades-long political skirmishes over CEQA.

— Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026
In 1988, for instance, Khomeini finally agreed to end his war with Iraq after the United States began engaging Iranian naval ships in direct skirmishes, leading him to fear that Reagan might formally align with Saddam Hussein’s regime.

— Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of skirmishes

Verb

Another challenges applicants to create a social media post about a food or flavor combination they're currently obsessed with.

— Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
This challenges the assumption that such behavior belongs to anyone’s true identity.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenges

Noun

The Cubs and Brewers square off seven times in that span, with Monday’s victory putting the North Siders 7 games back of first-place Milwaukee.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Here is the schedule and scoreboard for Week 3 games for Orlando area high school football teams.

— Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of games

Noun

The Premier League’s 2026-27 handbook contains 29 rules about ‘Players’ Identification and Strip’, spanning topics like sponsorship, shirt numbers, captain’s armbands, and preventing kit clashes with opponents and match officials.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Police special forces responded with flash grenades during the clashes, which officials said lasted until the early hours of Sunday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of clashes

Verb

Still, most Republicans are not flocking to Ossoff, as Collins tries to tie him to the far-left of the party and questions his experience.

— Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Mayor Karen Bass questions the progress and said that city personnel were inside the warehouse earlier today and that food waste remains.

— Julie Sharp, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of questions

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“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of contests

noun

verb

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