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Synonyms

contest

American  
[kon-test, kuhn-test] / ˈkɒn tɛst, kənˈtɛst /

noun

  1. a race, conflict, or other competition between rivals, as for a prize.

    Synonyms:
    game , tourney , tournament , match , rivalry , contention
  2. struggle for victory or superiority.

    Synonyms:
    encounter , battle
  3. vigorous or bitter conflict in argument; dispute; controversy.

    Their marriage was marred by perpetual contest.

    Synonyms:
    opposition , disagreement , difference , clash , altercation , antagonism , discord , strife

verb (used with object)

  1. to struggle or fight for, as in battle.

  2. to argue against; dispute.

    to contest a controversial question;

    to contest a will.

    Synonyms:
    oppose , controvert
  3. to call in question.

    They contested his right to speak.

    Synonyms:
    challenge
  4. to contend for in rivalry.

    Synonyms:
    vie , compete , strive

verb (used without object)

  1. to dispute; contend; compete.

contest British  

noun

  1. a formal game or match in which two or more people, teams, etc, compete and attempt to win

  2. a struggle for victory between opposing forces or interests

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to try to disprove; call in question

  2. to fight, dispute, or contend (with)

    contest an election

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See fight. See compete.

Other Word Forms

  • contestable adjective
  • contestableness noun
  • contestably adverb
  • contestation noun
  • contester noun
  • contestingly adverb
  • precontest verb (used with object)
  • recontest verb
  • subcontest noun
  • supercontest noun
  • uncontestable adjective
  • uncontestably adverb

Etymology

Origin of contest

First recorded in 1595–1605; (verb) from Latin contestāri “to call to witness (in a lawsuit),” equivalent to con- con- + testārī “to testify, ” derivative of testis witness; the noun is derivative of the verb, or is from French conteste

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ayton left the game with 7:25 remaining after tweaking his right knee while contesting a shot from Pelicans rookie Derik Queen.

From Los Angeles Times

In the end Bosch's first ODI half-century made it a close contest and much to look forward ahead of the next match is Wednesday in Raipur.

From Barron's

A contest between its two most well-known figures could have re-opened many of the splits that have overshadowed the founding of the fledgling party.

From BBC

Seven months after abruptly dropping out of the 1988 presidential race, Hart jumped back into the contest.

From Los Angeles Times

TKV, 32, was the underdog going into the contest, but his points victory over the Olympic medallist adds a new dimension to the heavyweight scene in the UK.

From BBC