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

One person familiar with the process said the contest remains between Warsh and Hassett, and the front-runner “sort of depends on the day.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Once, confronted with a contested four-way stop, Harvey waited for the offending cyclist to clear, then took his turn briskly.

From The Wall Street Journal

In February 2024, for instance, the group allegedly recruited players from Saint Louis University to underperform in an upcoming contest against Duquesne.

From The Wall Street Journal

They only came third in that year's contest, but it didn't matter.

From BBC

Meanwhile, a judge ruled that one contested project could proceed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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