contested
Americanadjective
-
battled; fought.
Bates pulled off the win, 82–79, in a tightly contested matchup.
-
involving a disagreement or dispute.
The waiting period for a contested divorce has been reduced to 12 months.
-
being fought over; in dispute.
The contested land is located 30 kilometers south of the city.
At times, the parties may not come to an agreement, or they may only agree on some of the contested issues.
-
involving more than one candidate.
Congressional redistricting and a contested Senate seat led to a series of competitive Michigan primaries on Tuesday.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of contested
Explanation
Something that's contested is argued over or questioned. Contested election results may need to be re-counted, since the two sides can't agree on their validity. Controversial and contentious issues — like debated topics or lawsuits — are often described as "hotly contested," or energetically argued over. Elections, community issues, sporting matches, and scientific ideas are all frequently contested. The word has been used since the 1770s to describe political elections in the US, and it comes from the Latin word contestari, "to call to witness or bring action."
Vocabulary lists containing contested
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wendelken, who has never contested the main draw at an overseas major, saved a match point to come through a three-hour tussle with Switzerland's Remy Bertola.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
It is unclear whether the Louisiana ruling covering Hendrick’s transfer will be contested.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026
But in the 14th century the contested presence of the Papal States near the Rhône led to repeated skirmishes between the king of France and the Vatican.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
A total of 211 bands from 14 countries, including youth bands, took part in the "truly thrilling and fiercely contested competition".
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
They contested its claim for a 2005 crash of a helicopter into a government- owned warehouse in Pyongyang.
From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
