contestable

adjective

Definition of contestablenext
as in problematic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contestable The position is thin and contestable, and every serious competitor is now trying to climb out of it by owning more of the stack. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 Dupont took an Italian tap back from a contestable kick and chipped for Bielle-Biarrey to claim the first try in the fourth minute, his fourth try this month, and 24th try in 25 tests. — ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 In part, the President has used the term like every other politician does—to automatize the righteousness of contestable claims. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestable
  1. problematic
  2. debatable
  3. arguable
  4. disputable
  5. moot
  6. questionable
Adjective
  • The optics became nearly as problematic as the financial structure itself.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • So there seems to be something actively problematic with the DNA from those lineages in these regions.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of problematic
Adjective
  • Few deadlines offer trades this fascinating, this debatable, this multilayered.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Still, Fazio’s claim that the budget caps are effectively nullified is debatable, at best.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of debatable
Adjective
  • What’s less arguable is the quality of Kinnear’s performance, a fine study in comic understatement at first that modulates into a delicately limned portrait of pain barely stifled.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
  • Those figures are arguable to the last decimal, and carriers, in his experience, pitch their tent wherever things are arguable.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of arguable
Adjective
  • However, disputable refereeing decisions, especially in the matches against Italy and Spain, led to allegations that South Korea may have benefited from favorable officiating.
    — Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
  • Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.
    — Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of disputable
Adjective
  • Gomez, meanwhile, issued a pointed statement to expand on why the FCC’s move is legally moot, in her view.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The district further argued that some of the lawsuit’s claims were now moot because the district recently ended its use of Gaggle and transitioned to a new program, called ManagedMethods.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
Definition of moot
Adjective
  • And the sheer scale and complexity of the Medicaid system – joint federal-state funding, varying eligibility requirements, millions of enrollees and thousands of providers – created opportunities for questionable billing practices among providers.
    — Ben Zdencanovic, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Williams’ return After missing Golden State’s first game after the break, Williams was a game-time decision and played 19 minutes in the Valks’ win after being listed as questionable before tipoff.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of questionable

Browse Nearby Words

contest
contestable
contestant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contestable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contestable. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on contestable

Nglish: Translation of contestable for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All