contestation

noun

ˌkän-ˌte-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce contestation (audio)
Definition of contestationnext
as in dispute
variance of opinion on a matter the statement is certainly open to contestation among reasonable people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 contestation In particular, Iran’s cinematic identity over the past century has been characterized by the contestation of hegemonic forces, both secular and fundamentalist. — Nick Kouhi, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2026 What supplies all these events with a sense of approaching a precipice is the open contestation between pro- and anti-democratic forces, happening both here and abroad, in view of each other. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026 That makes some of these contestations existential, particularly for smaller combatants. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 12 Jan. 2026 Indeed, the existence of avenues for contestation is in the very nature of competitive authoritarianism. — Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contestation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestation
  1. dispute
  2. controversy
  3. disputation
  4. debate
  5. disagreement
Noun
  • Rezaei accused Washington of violating the memorandum of understanding and launching attacks without first referring the issue to the dispute resolution committee.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The latest dispute in House centers on whether the College Sports Commission has the authority to review NIL agreements involving multimedia rights companies.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • The next few items on Takaichi’s agenda – the anti-espionage law and the foreign intelligence service – will likely court even more controversy.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Ancelotti selected the former Barcelona winger for the tournament despite controversy over his fitness and form, having only made 15 appearances for Santos before the World Cup this year.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.
    — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
  • According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of disputation
Noun
  • Two of the three major GOP candidates for Minnesota governor faced off in a debate on Friday night, 11 days before the August primary.
    — Esme Murphy, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Just months after the Charlotte region’s transportation board voted to kill support for the Interstate 77 South Toll lane project, talks of community investments that could be brought forth by the controversial project has reignited the debate.
    — DJ Simmons August 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • Identify the last three high-pressure moments whether that be a hard conversation, a strategic disagreement, a crisis call.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Health insurers and hospitals tend to keep their contracts confidential, but, judging from each party’s previous comments, disagreements over reimbursement rates were a key issue throughout the negotiations.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of disagreement

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contestation
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Cite this Entry

“Contestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contestation. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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