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

Normally primary candidates postpone commending their opponents until after they’ve either won or lost; Mr. Youngkin expresses his before the contest has started.

From The Wall Street Journal

The search results provided do not contain documented opposing perspectives or counterarguments from credible sources that directly address or contest the concerns raised in this article.

From Los Angeles Times

It is human nature to project our phobias, prejudices and obsessions onto what is simply a biological contest between our immune system and the amoral pathogens trying to replicate themselves within us.

From The Wall Street Journal

That streak included both the Grand Slam matches they contested at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024.

From BBC

They’re then followed by the strongest year of the presidential cycle as another White House contest draws near: a stellar 20.5%.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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