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

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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

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verb

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

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

   contest an election

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

Leonard made three steals in a row at the start of the contest.

From Barron's

Enslaved people engaged in simple contests — guessing games and strength challenges — as a way to boost their mood and self-esteem, and to bond with one another.

From Salon

As it often does, this contest should come down to defense, and a few critical plays that leave us screaming.

From The Wall Street Journal

Away from the sporting contest, all eyes will be on a historic half-time performance from Bad Bunny, the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican superstar.

From Barron's

After 11 closely contested rounds, in which Ball was at times typically bullish on the inside and Figueroa responded with relentless volume, the fight turned in an instant.

From BBC

Related Words

• challenge
• discussion
• game
• match
• meeting
• sport
• tournament
• trial