contests 1 of 2

noun

plural of contest
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

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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

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3
as in skirmishes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups what mighty contests have been waged on trivial matters

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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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Example Sentences

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
  1. rivalries
  2. tournaments
  3. skirmishes
  4. challenges
  5. competitions
  6. games
  7. clashes
  8. questions
Noun
  • North Dakota State’s move to the FBS has created excitement about new opponents, rivalries and possibilities.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Just as their own fictions bend and weave tales, so too do their own lives and rivalries.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of rivalries
Noun
  • Large crowds gathered for the mixed doubles tournament, an exhibition headlined by Roger Federer’s return to Flushing Meadows and the singles qualifying tournaments, with admission to the grounds free.
    — Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In the Philippines, many time zones away from these major tournaments, fans organize watch parties for matches that often start after midnight.
    — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 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
  • Both teams got their last live looks at their respective competitions for the backup QB job — behind Tyler Shough in New Orleans and Dallas' Dak Prescott.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The draw for the Doubles competitions will be held on September 1.
    — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of competitions
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
  • Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • He had been expected to leave by the end of the year, but clashes with Hegseth on things like the ouster of top Army officers played a role in his decision to depart, a source familiar with the dynamic told Semafor.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of clashes
Verb
  • In the clip, Maya questions her father’s view of what holds their family together.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • DuBose questions the allegation that Fields’ sucker-punched his teammate.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of questions

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Cite this Entry

“Contests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contests. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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