It is probable that he will win the speech contest.
Source: tatoeba (19173)
Contest
/ˈkɑn.tɛst/
Synonyms for "contest" (359 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (72)
Noun(17 words)
competitionagonappealappealsarguingballupbattlesbiotic interactionboutschallengechallengeschallenging behaviorchampionshipscockfightscombatscompetecompeting
abjureactionaltercationantagonizeargueargufyargumentassert the contraryawake a doubtbandy wordsbattlebe contrary tobe diffidentbe doubtfulbe dubiousbe skepticalbe uncertainbeat againstbeat up againstbelie
Adjective(1 words)
academic dissent case
Verb(4 words)
Strong matches (108)
Noun(24 words)
concoursconflictconfutecontendcontend aboutcontend againstcontentioncontentiousnesscontestationcontradictcontravenecontroversycontrovertcountercrosscross swordscut and thrustdebatedecathlondeny
Show 50 more words
derbydisaffirmdisagreedisallowdisavowdisceptdisclaimdisowndisprovedisputationdisputedistrustdouble headerdouble-headerdoublesdoubtduelemulationencounterengagementenmityeventexchange blowsfencefeudfightfight a duelfight againstfight overfightingforswearfoursomegainsaygamegamesgames of chancegive and takegive satisfactiongograpplegrapple withgreet with skepticismgymkhanahalf believeharbor suspicionshasslehave it outhave reservationshostilityimpugn
Verb(14 words)
Related words (179)
Noun(40 words)
Verb(12 words)
join battlejoin battle withjoin issuejoin issue uponjostlejoustkilkenny catslabor againstlitigationlock hornslogomachizelogomachymatchmatchingmeetmeetingmilitate againstmisgivemistrustmix it up
Show 107 more words
mootnegatenot acceptnot admitnullifyobject tooffer resistanceolympic gamesolympicsopposeoppugnpaper warpentathlonpettifogplayplay offplay-offpleadpolemicpolemicizepolemizeprovingquarrelquarrel overquarrelingquarrelsomenessqueryquestionquibbleraceraise a questionrallyrasslerebutrecantrefuse to admitrefuterejectreluctreluctaterencontrerenouncerepelrepudiateresistretractrevokeriotrivalrivalryrun a tiltrunningrunoffscramblescrappingscruplescufflesinglesskirmishsmell a ratsparsportsquabblesquabble oversquabblingstemstem the tidestrifestrivestrive againststrivingstrugglestruggle againstsuspecttake backtake issue withtake ontake sidestake with a grain of salttesttestingthrash outthreesomethrow doubt uponthrust and parrytilttournamenttourneytraversetreat with reservetrialtry conclusionstryingtug-of-wartussletwosomevie withwage warwarwar of wordswarfarewithstandwordswranglewrangle overwranglingwrestle
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: competition, abjure, academic dissent case, action, agon.
- Sentence evidence is available for contest, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "contest".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "contest"
Keep "contest" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "contest" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "contest", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "contest" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
17 entriesShowing 16 of 17 words.
More specific
15 entriesCollocations
11 entriescontest claimcontest decisioncontest entrycontest findingscontest resultscontest rulescontest verdictcontest winneressay contestmath contestspelling contest
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
9 entriesSample sentences
18 total sentences available.
I would often take part in an English speech contest in my school days.
Source: tatoeba (21476)
Are you going to take part in the English speech contest?
Source: tatoeba (26339)
To everyone's astonishment, Mike won first prize in the speech contest.
Source: tatoeba (32179)
Showing 4 of 18 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "contest"?
Closest matches include competition, abjure, academic dissent case, action, agon.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "contest"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.