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

The last time they had lost a City playoff contest was in 2011 when they fell to Cleveland 14-3 in the quarterfinals.

From Los Angeles Times

Observers expect a multi-cornered contest in the general election, which may ultimately dent the chances of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, enacting ambitious reforms.

From BBC

Trump himself, at least, was well-advised to stay neutral in the Senate leadership contest, knowing that this was one internal battle where his input would have limited effect, and where his instincts could have brought him to a place of embarrassment.

From Slate

The contest attracted national attention, with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana traveling to Riverside County to stump for Calvert, and former President Trump rallying nearby at a Coachella Valley polo field.

From Los Angeles Times

"At my former school they start to give attention at the age of 14 and 15 to the finer techniques, so they are prepared for the ages of 15 and 16 when they have a proper contest in the scrum."

From BBC

Related Words

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