sweepstakes
noun
sweep·stakes ˈswēp-ˌstāks 
also sweep-stake ˈswēp-ˌstāk ; singular or plural in construction
; singular or plural in construction 1
a
: a race or contest in which the entire prize may be awarded to the winner
specifically : stakes race
b
: contest, competition
2
: any of various lotteries
Synonyms
- ball game
- battle
- combat
- competition
- conflict
- confrontation
- contention
- contest
- dogfight
- duel
- face-off
- grapple
- match
- rivalry
- strife
- struggle
- tug-of-war
- war
- warfare
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Scammers are continually devising new sweepstakes, gift card, medication, and romance schemes to trick seniors out of money or into sharing sensitive information. 
Annaliese Griffin, Fortune, 29 July 2022 As part of a Bring the Cup Home sweepstakes, in which the winner would get the Cup for a day, hockey’s Holy Grail was displayed at JCPenney stores in Westland, Southland and Oakland malls. Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, 24 May 2022 The Dodgers are reportedly one of three front-runners in the Soto sweepstakes, along with the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2022 Fans know all too well the Giants finished runners-up several times in sweepstakes for high-profile players. John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 July 2022 The sweepstakes began July 1 and ends Aug. 3. LaTonda Anderson of Grand Blanc won the $1 million prize in Michigan's COVID-19 vaccine lottery last week. Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, 28 July 2021 The sweepstakes began Monday and will run through June 22. . Asha C. Gilbert, USA TODAY, 24 May 2021 The odds are in contrast to recent comments made byseveral NBA writers and analysts, including Fox Sports' Chris Broussard, who said that the Suns were out of the sweepstakes to land Durant. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 6 Aug. 2022 Even if your favorite home doesn’t win it all, voting in the sweepstakes can come with its own reward. Hunter Boyce, ajc, 30 July 2022 See More
Annaliese Griffin, Fortune, 29 July 2022 As part of a Bring the Cup Home sweepstakes, in which the winner would get the Cup for a day, hockey’s Holy Grail was displayed at JCPenney stores in Westland, Southland and Oakland malls. Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, 24 May 2022 The Dodgers are reportedly one of three front-runners in the Soto sweepstakes, along with the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2022 Fans know all too well the Giants finished runners-up several times in sweepstakes for high-profile players. John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 July 2022 The sweepstakes began July 1 and ends Aug. 3. LaTonda Anderson of Grand Blanc won the $1 million prize in Michigan's COVID-19 vaccine lottery last week. Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, 28 July 2021 The sweepstakes began Monday and will run through June 22. . Asha C. Gilbert, USA TODAY, 24 May 2021 The odds are in contrast to recent comments made byseveral NBA writers and analysts, including Fox Sports' Chris Broussard, who said that the Suns were out of the sweepstakes to land Durant. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 6 Aug. 2022 Even if your favorite home doesn’t win it all, voting in the sweepstakes can come with its own reward. Hunter Boyce, ajc, 30 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English swepestake one who wins all the stakes in a game, from swepen to sweep + stake
First Known Use
1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
sweepstakes
noun plural
sweep·stakes ˈswēp-ˌstāks
: a contest in which money or prizes are given to winners picked by chance (as by drawing names)
Hint: Sweepstakes can be used as a singular or a plural in writing and speaking.
sweepstakes
plural noun
variants also sweep-stake
1
as in contest
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another in last week's box office sweepstakes a quirky little comedy handily bested Hollywood's latest special effects extravaganza Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- contest
- competition
- battle
- showdown
- war
- match
- duel
- rivalry
- warfare
- confrontation
- struggle
- contention
- ball game
- strife
- dogfight
- combat
- conflict
- tug-of-war
- face-off
- controversy
- grapple
- debate
- clash
- dispute
- horse race
- nail-biter
- friction
- disputation
- discord
- collision
- quarrel
- row
- argument
- wrangle
- dissension
- disagreement
- dissention
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peace
- harmony
- concord
2
as in tournament
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize regards the music awards as nothing more than a popularity sweepstakes Synonyms & Similar Words
- contest
- tournament
- event
- game
- competition
- meet
- outing
- tourney
- matchup
- sport
- national(s)
- championship
- bout
- match
- round
- race
- athletics
- battle
- final
- skirmish
- open
- set
- tussle
- struggle
- scrimmage
- marathon
- derby
- triathlon
- semifinal
- conflict
- classic
- run
- gymkhana
- tug-of-war
- biathlon
- decathlon
- runoff
- pentathlon
- field day
- heat
- play-off
- dead heat
- rally
- ultramarathon
- seesaw
- rubber
- sudden death
- nightcap
- volley
- heptathlon
- photo finish
- round-robin
- schoolish
- schoolkeeper
- schoolkid
- schoolkids
- schooller
- schoolless
- schoollest
- schoolma'am
- schoolmaids
- schoolman
- schoolmans
- schoolmarm
- schoolmarmish
- schoolmarms
- schoolmaster
- schoolmastered
- schoolmasterhood
- schoolmastering
- schoolmasterish
- schoolmasterly
- schoolmasters
- schoolmastership
- schoolmastery
- schoolmate
- schoolmates