contest

[ noun kon-test; verb kuhn-test ]

noun

1. a race, conflict, or other competition between rivals, as for a prize.

   Synonyms: game, tourney, tournament, rivalry, contention, match

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. whenintr, foll by with or against to fight, dispute, or contend (with)

   contest an election

Derived Forms

• conˈtestingly, adverb
• conˈtester, noun
• ˌcontesˈtation, noun
• conˈtestably, adverb
• conˈtestable, adjective
• conˈtestableness, noun

Other Words From

• con·test·a·ble adjective
• con·test·a·ble·ness noun
• con·test·a·bly adverb
• con·test·er noun
• con·test·ing·ly adverb
• pre·con·test verb (used with object)
• pre·con·test noun
• re·con·test verb
• sub·con·test noun
• su·per·con·test noun
• su·per·con·test verb (used with object)
• un·con·test·a·ble adjective
• un·con·test·a·bly adverb

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

Their efficiency prevented defenders from sagging off to contest UCLA’s most prolific offensive weapon, who continually drove the open lanes that invited a Mack attack.

From Los Angeles Times

If the current margin of roughly 2.4 million votes holds, it will be the closest margin of victory since the contest between Al Gore and George W. Bush in 2000.

From Salon

The contest's first season saw 10 influencers locked in a house for a week as they battled for a prize with up to £1m.

From BBC

In any contest to name the cruelest and most useless healthcare “reform” favored by Republicans and conservatives, it would be hard to beat the idea of applying work requirements to Medicaid.

From Los Angeles Times

Secondly, contested notions of fairness are so often central to the most contentious political arguments, and this one is no different.

From BBC

Related Words

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