horse race

noun

Definition of horse racenext
1
as in ball game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in photo finish

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horse race
  1. ball game
  2. photo finish
  3. toss-up
  4. confrontation
  5. war
  6. duel
  7. combat
  8. contention
Noun
  • The same could be said for Dodgers’ fans watching the ball games from Cosm Los Angeles, the Japanese city of Ōshū and the Shibuya ward in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
    — Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Known as a fierce competitor, Butler is a two-way player willing to sacrifice points to win ball games.
    — Mark LaSota, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of ball game
Noun
  • Fords make up nine of the first 10 starting positions for the Cup Series race at the track that produced an epic three-wide photo finish a season ago.
    — Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2025
  • From the thrilling photo finish at Churchill Downs that captured Mystik Dan winning the historic 150th Kentucky Derby to Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler gracing Valhalla Golf Club for the 106th PGA Championship.
    — Staff, The Courier-Journal, 31 Dec. 2024
Definition of photo finish
Noun
  • Considering how alike the two devices are, this could almost be a toss-up.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The 8-9 game in the NCAA Tournament is always a toss-up, and 9-seeds actually have an 81-75 advantage over 8-seeds since 1985.
    — From Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of toss-up
Noun
  • The Trump administration's decision to deport 137 Venezuelan migrants last weekend despite a judge's order blocking the move was viewed by some legal scholars as an escalation in President Donald Trump's confrontation with the judiciary.
    — Reuters, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Extremist violence runs from organized groups to lone attackers and from right-wing or white supremacist ideologies to leftist confrontations with police and the recent Tesla vandalism.
    — Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war and challenged Canada’s sovereignty.
    — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Administration officials are absolutely clueless, sloppy and incompetent. — Joe Szczepaniak, Wheaton War is not a game I am sickened by the emoji used by those in top government positions (and then some) in the unclassified text thread about war plans and execution of those plans.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of war
Noun
  • With a brewing 60 meter sprint race between NFL champion Tyreek Hill and Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles locked in for sometime later this year, conversations have been running amok as to whether the crossover duel will actually field a competitive race.
    — Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Snell duels with Tarik Skubal, the incumbent AL Triple-Crowner and last year’s unanimous AL Cy Young.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of duel
Noun
  • Based on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novel series, the show stars Ritchson as the infamous ex-military police officer and drifter who uses his combat skills (and intimidating stature) to take down dangerous criminals.
    — Emily Blackwood, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Every stage of war, from preparation and production to combat and eventual reconstruction, leaves an indelible carbon footprint on the planet.
    — Nils Rokke, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of combat
Noun
  • The team is banking on the recovery of ace Brandon Woodruff from shoulder surgery and Christian Yelich from back surgery to bring them back into contention.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Grade: ❌ 🔥 Miami Marlins This year’s bold prediction: Coming off Tommy John surgery, Sandy Alcantara will be in prime form and in Cy Young contention until he’s traded to an American League team in late July.
    — Johnny Flores Jr., New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of contention
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.

Browse Nearby Words

horsepower
horse race
horse races
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Cite this Entry

“Horse race.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20race. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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