contest
1 of 2verb
con·test kən-ˈtest 
ˈkän-ˌtest
ˈkän-ˌtest contested; contesting; contests
intransitive verb
: strive, vie
contested for power
transitive verb
: to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
especially : dispute, challenge
The deceased's relatives are contesting his will.
contestable
kən-ˈte-stə-bəl
adjective contester noun
contest
2 of 2noun
con·test ˈkän-ˌtest
1
: a struggle for superiority or victory : competition
a football contest between rival teams
2
: a competition in which each contestant performs without direct contact with or interference from competitors
He won the contest for best photograph.
Synonyms
Verb
- challenge
- dispute
- impeach
- oppugn
- query
- question
Noun
- ball game
- battle
- combat
- competition
- conflict
- confrontation
- contention
- dogfight
- duel
- face-off
- grapple
- match
- rivalry
- strife
- struggle
- sweepstakes
- sweep-stake
- tug-of-war
- war
- warfare
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb She plans to contest a seat in Congress next year. Both candidates have agreed to another debate before this hotly contested election. Noun Contest winners receive a cash prize. Will you enter the contest? She hopes to win the contest for mayor. Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a contest for control of the House of Representatives. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2022 Many of the hundreds of thousands of people audited each year are chosen at random, and most taxpayers can’t afford a lawyer to go to Tax Court to contest IRS claims of tax liability. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 14 Aug. 2022 Is Bolsonaro preparing to contest the election no matter the outcome? David Faris, The Week, 21 July 2022 But before either husband or wife in the Andrews case was forced to take the stand, Kate agreed not to contest the case. April White, BostonGlobe.com, 7 June 2022 Collier-Williams in March appointed a receiver, after Optima agreed not to contest the appointment. Eric Heisig, cleveland, 21 Sep. 2021 Purdue also agreed not to contest an official fact-finding document detailing the company’s marketing methods, which management designed specifically to overcome physician fears about addiction. Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2021 Geyser would later receive a 40-year commitment to a state mental hospital after prosecutors agreed not to contest her insanity defense. Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2021 Dollar General can either pay the fines, contest the citation or request a meeting with OSHA’s area director. Zachary Hansen, ajc, 15 Aug. 2022 Xl Media, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 The residency is part of the Tinta Oscura contest, which received a total of 262 scripts from 13 countries. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Tuesday night defeated Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo in their Democratic primary, according to Associated Press projections, ending a bruising, ugly contest that was rife with controversy. Danny Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 But one feeling that for sure wins every contest — empathy. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 Pence has also made multiple stops over the past year and a half in South Carolina, which holds the third contest — and first southern primary — in the Republican presidential nominating calendar. Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 4 Sep. 2022 Shrek Jesus and Sihakom participated in the roar contest, which is one of many events held at Shrekfest. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2022 Enjoy log-sawing contest, dance groups, kid-friendly Kinderplatz area with games and activities. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2022 The event for women 21 and older will be held from 4:30 to 9:30 Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., and will include dancing, a scavenger hunt, a costume contest, caricature artist, food and adult drinks. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 See More
Verb
Aiello, who chose not to contest the allegations, apologized to the patient, was recertified as a radiologist and completed a number of medical courses, DPH records show. Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2022 Many of the hundreds of thousands of people audited each year are chosen at random, and most taxpayers can’t afford a lawyer to go to Tax Court to contest IRS claims of tax liability. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 14 Aug. 2022 Is Bolsonaro preparing to contest the election no matter the outcome? David Faris, The Week, 21 July 2022 But before either husband or wife in the Andrews case was forced to take the stand, Kate agreed not to contest the case. April White, BostonGlobe.com, 7 June 2022 Collier-Williams in March appointed a receiver, after Optima agreed not to contest the appointment. Eric Heisig, cleveland, 21 Sep. 2021 Purdue also agreed not to contest an official fact-finding document detailing the company’s marketing methods, which management designed specifically to overcome physician fears about addiction. Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2021 Geyser would later receive a 40-year commitment to a state mental hospital after prosecutors agreed not to contest her insanity defense. Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2021 Dollar General can either pay the fines, contest the citation or request a meeting with OSHA’s area director. Zachary Hansen, ajc, 15 Aug. 2022 Noun
In turn, this very well may prove to be a close, low-scoring contest. Xl Media, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 The residency is part of the Tinta Oscura contest, which received a total of 262 scripts from 13 countries. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Tuesday night defeated Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo in their Democratic primary, according to Associated Press projections, ending a bruising, ugly contest that was rife with controversy. Danny Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 But one feeling that for sure wins every contest — empathy. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 Pence has also made multiple stops over the past year and a half in South Carolina, which holds the third contest — and first southern primary — in the Republican presidential nominating calendar. Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 4 Sep. 2022 Shrek Jesus and Sihakom participated in the roar contest, which is one of many events held at Shrekfest. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2022 Enjoy log-sawing contest, dance groups, kid-friendly Kinderplatz area with games and activities. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2022 The event for women 21 and older will be held from 4:30 to 9:30 Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., and will include dancing, a scavenger hunt, a costume contest, caricature artist, food and adult drinks. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French contester "to debate, make the subject of dispute," earlier "to refuse to recognize a right or claim," probably borrowed from Old Occitan contestar, borrowed from Latin contestārī "to call to witness," in the phrase lītem contestārī (with līt-, līs "dispute at law") "to join issue in a legal suit," from con- con- + -testārī, verbal derivative of testis "witness" — more at testament
Noun
derivative of contest entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
1603, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Noun
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing contest
Kids Definition
contest 1 of 2
noun
con·test ˈkän-ˌtest
: a struggle for victory : competition
a pie baking contest
contest
2 of 2verb
con·test kən-ˈtest
contested; contesting
: to make (something) a cause of dispute or fighting
They will contest a claim to the fortune.
Legal Definition
contest 1 of 2
transitive verb
con·test kən-ˈtest
: to dispute or challenge through legal procedures
contest a will
contest
2 of 2noun
con·test ˈkän-ˌtest
: a challenge brought through formal or legal procedures
boundary controversies or other contests between states Felix Frankfurter
Felix Frankfurter specifically : will contest see also no contest clause
contest 1 of 2
noun
1
as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the eternal contest between the forces of good and the forces of evil Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- competition
- rivalry
- battle
- duel
- struggle
- contention
- confrontation
- warfare
- war
- match
- conflict
- sweepstakes
- strife
- showdown
- face-off
- clash
- dogfight
- ball game
- tug-of-war
- combat
- sweep-stake
- debate
- grapple
- dispute
- disputation
- horse race
- argument
- friction
- quarrel
- nail-biter
- collision
- controversy
- discord
- row
- wrangle
- disagreement
- dissension
- dissention
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- harmony
- peace
- concord
2
as in tournament
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize a contest for the gold medal in diving Synonyms & Similar Words
- competition
- tournament
- event
- game
- match
- championship
- sweepstakes
- tourney
- bout
- matchup
- meet
- sport
- battle
- race
- skirmish
- final
- sweep-stake
- semifinal
- tussle
- derby
- athletics
- open
- scrimmage
- struggle
- marathon
- outing
- conflict
- triathlon
- round
- tug-of-war
- gymkhana
- pentathlon
- decathlon
- runoff
- biathlon
- heat
- national(s)
- field day
- seesaw
- play-off
- rally
- rubber
- run
- volley
- ultramarathon
- nightcap
- set
- sudden death
- dead heat
- heptathlon
- classic
- photo finish
- round-robin
3
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups what mighty contests have been waged on trivial matters Synonyms & Similar Words
- skirmish
- battle
- clash
- fight
- struggle
- fray
- tussle
- brawl
- duel
- scuffle
- scrimmage
- conflict
- dustup
- confrontation
- altercation
- fracas
- combat
- scrap
- scrum
- dispute
- quarrel
- pitched battle
- fistfight
- slugfest
- battle royal
- blows
- joust
- melee
- hassle
- fisticuffs
- row
- affray
- controversy
- donnybrook
- spat
- squabble
- tangle
- face-off
- ruckus
- catfight
- argument
- mêlée
- broil
- punch-up
- free-for-all
- tiff
- wrangle
- rough-and-tumble
- cross fire
- contretemps
- mix-up
- ruction
- misunderstanding
- disagreement
- grapple
- punch-out
- argle-bargle
- handgrips
- argy-bargy
- kickup
- falling-out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- truce
contest
2 of 2verb
as in to challenge
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of vowed to contest the claim in court Synonyms & Similar Words
- challenge
- question
- dispute
- query
- protest
- call into question
- impeach
- doubt
- call in question
- oppugn
- fight
- combat
- mistrust
- resist
- oppose
- kick (about)
- object (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- believe
- accept
- defend
- support
- embrace
- swallow
- promote
- back
- advocate
- champion
- abide
- endure
- tolerate
- stomach