contest
- a race, conflict, or other competition between rivals, as for a prize.
- struggle for victory or superiority.
- strife in argument; dispute; controversy: Their marriage was marred by perpetual contest.
- to struggle or fight for, as in battle.
- to argue against; dispute: to contest a controversial question; to contest a will.
- to call in question: They contested his right to speak.
- to contend for in rivalry.
- to dispute; contend; compete.
Origin of contest
Synonyms for contest
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
Related Words for contest
discussion, tournament, trial, game, sport, meeting, challenge, match, brawl, action, conflict, battle, rivalry, debate, encounter, oppose, litigate, contend, defend, competeExamples from the Web for contest
Contemporary Examples of contest
Judging the contest are four prominent figures in the adult entertainment business with years of experience.
Inside ‘The Sex Factor’: Where 16 Men and Women Vie For Porn ImmortalityAurora Snow
November 22, 2014
In 1998, she was selected to represent Israel in the prestigious Eurovision contest, winning first place.
And as for Landrieu, as I said, it seems to look still as if her contest is headed to a run-off.
Despite these financial disadvantages, Grimes has kept the contest fairly close.
But before the national pundits and prognosticators write off the Kentucky contest, they should hold their horses.
Those Alison Lundergan Grimes Obituaries Were Premature—She’s Hanging OnJonathan Miller
October 23, 2014
Historical Examples of contest
Down the hill they thundered, over the brook and up to the scene of the contest.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
And she came out of the contest weakened by each victory over her heart.
The DreamEmile Zola
A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.
The Devil's DictionaryAmbrose Bierce
They entered into the contest, therefore, with their usual vigour, and their usual cruelty.
The Life of Horatio Lord NelsonRobert Southey
It must be a miserable imposture, indeed, that does not prevail in that contest.
contest
- a formal game or match in which two or more people, teams, etc, compete and attempt to win
- a struggle for victory between opposing forces or interests
- (tr) to try to disprove; call in question
- (when intr, foll by with or against) to fight, dispute, or contend (with)contest an election
Word Origin for contest
Word Origin and History for contest
c.1600, from French contester "dispute, oppose," from Middle French, from Latin contestari (litem) "to call to witness, bring action," from com- "together" (see com-) + testari "to bear witness," from testis "a witness," (see testament). Calling witnesses as the first step in a legal combat. Related: Contestable; contested; contesting.
1640s, from contest (v.).