Walkover

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An effortless win achieved without competition ; a situation where a contest is resolved because one side fails to participate or withdraws
2. A straightforward triumph secured without challenge ; a match or competition granted to a participant due to absence or forfeiture by an opponent
3. A victory gained without struggle or opposition ; an event won because other competitors do not appear or concede

Etymology: "Walkover" is built from the phrasal verb "walk over," meaning to cross a space on foot, and the noun names the act of simply walking across the finish line. Horse racing and other sports used the term for a contest in which a rival withdrew or was absent, leaving the winner to take the prize without any real competition, and the sense has since broadened to any easy, unopposed victory. The shift from a plain physical action to a sporting result is what makes the word interesting. A competitor who "walks over" the course has done nothing more strenuous than cover the ground, which is exactly why the term came to describe a win that required no effort against an opponent.

Synonyms: breeze, cakewalk, cinch, easy win, pushover

Antonyms: challenge, struggle, fight, competition, obstacle