con·test
kən-ˈtest 
ˈkän-ˌtest
ˈkän-ˌtest
contested; contesting; contests
: to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
contester
noun
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
Examples of contest in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors did not contest their release from jail, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
When done carefully and respectfully, the pelvic exam remains a valuable, if contested, aspect of reproductive healthcare.
—TIME, 24 Apr. 2024
If the 2024 White House election is contested or tied, each state’s congressional delegation will have a single vote in deciding the winner.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
And on Sunday, China’s best swimmers contested the third day of the country’s Olympic trials.
—Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
Companies can also contest citations through the state Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, an independent board appointed by the governor to hear such appeals.
—Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
The 13th House District, which covers parts of Detroit and Warren, will be contested between Democrat Mai Xiong and Republican Ronald Singer.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
The game was contested Saturday at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Allison Kiehl, The Enquirer, 17 Apr. 2024
Student of the Week offers schools the chance to celebrate teens who have placed in an art, dance or music competition, excelled in a science fair, won an essay contest, received a scholarship, were recognized for their volunteer service or have shined in some other way.
—Marcus Reichley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Zac Anderson The contentious 2024 presidential primary contest between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump didn’t sour Republicans on the governor in the state both men call home.
—USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
The Avs went a step further Sunday, putting their newfound Jekyll-and-Hyde persona on display inside the same contest.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2024
Beneath the narrowing contest, many of the fundamentals of the race appear largely unchanged.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
His double-dinger game came a day after his first multi-hit contest of the season.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Flower Mound proceeded to play ultra defensive soccer, holding the lead for the rest of the contest.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2024
In addition to the presidency, the U.S. Senate majority may be decided by the state’s high-profile contest between Republican Kari Lake and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in the race to replace retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
—Steve Peoples, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Verb
When the teams met at Pechanga on April 5, fans were treated to a sizzling match that was tightly contested until San Diego scored the game’s final five goals.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors did not contest their release from jail, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
When done carefully and respectfully, the pelvic exam remains a valuable, if contested, aspect of reproductive healthcare.
—TIME, 24 Apr. 2024
If the 2024 White House election is contested or tied, each state’s congressional delegation will have a single vote in deciding the winner.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
And on Sunday, China’s best swimmers contested the third day of the country’s Olympic trials.
—Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
Companies can also contest citations through the state Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, an independent board appointed by the governor to hear such appeals.
—Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
The 13th House District, which covers parts of Detroit and Warren, will be contested between Democrat Mai Xiong and Republican Ronald Singer.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
The game was contested Saturday at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Noun
Enjoy giveaways, local art, vendors, rolling contest, live glass blowing and more.
—Allison Kiehl, The Enquirer, 17 Apr. 2024
Student of the Week offers schools the chance to celebrate teens who have placed in an art, dance or music competition, excelled in a science fair, won an essay contest, received a scholarship, were recognized for their volunteer service or have shined in some other way.
—Marcus Reichley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Zac Anderson The contentious 2024 presidential primary contest between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump didn’t sour Republicans on the governor in the state both men call home.
—USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
The Avs went a step further Sunday, putting their newfound Jekyll-and-Hyde persona on display inside the same contest.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2024
Beneath the narrowing contest, many of the fundamentals of the race appear largely unchanged.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
His double-dinger game came a day after his first multi-hit contest of the season.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Flower Mound proceeded to play ultra defensive soccer, holding the lead for the rest of the contest.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2024
In addition to the presidency, the U.S. Senate majority may be decided by the state’s high-profile contest between Republican Kari Lake and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in the race to replace retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
—Steve Peoples, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near contest
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contest. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contest
1 of 2 verb
con·test
kən-ˈtest
ˈkän-ˌtest
ˈkän-ˌtest
: to make (something) a cause of dispute or fighting
contest a claim
contest
2 of 2 noun
con·test
ˈkän-ˌtest
: a struggle for victory : competition
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 2 noun
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
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