contest

[kon-test, kuhn-test]

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

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

verb

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

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

   contest an election

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contest¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contest¹

C16: from Latin contestārī to introduce a lawsuit, from testis witness

Synonym Study

See fight. See compete.

Example Sentences

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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