as in challenged
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
vowed to contest the claim in court
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Recent Examples of contested
When power is taken from the outside, domestic institutions struggle to assert authority, legitimacy is contested and responsibility diffuses just when clarity is needed.
—
Cristina Guevara, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
An off-balance, contested 3-pointer from junior forward Andrew Meadow that bounced off the rim and into the hands of an Aztec at the end of triple overtime will be the defining memory for Boise State (9-5, 1-2 Mountain West) in a 110-107 loss to San Diego State (9-4, 3-0).
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
The contest featured six lead changes and three ties and was closely contested throughout, despite the Trojans never leading by more than a point all night.
—Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
The case resulted from a challenge brought by Siskiyou County resident Mark Baird, who contested both the state’s open-carry ban and the licensing requirements for open-carry permits in rural counties.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Still, the legal authority for the strike remains contested.
—Time, 3 Jan. 2026
The Postal Service contested the Occupational Safety and Health Administration citation and is negotiating a settlement.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
One of the reasons Snyder was unique at the time, Santoli noted, was because of his bearishness during the all-time market peak in 2007, and then asserted in April 2009 that the market’s lows in March of that year wouldn’t be contested and that a new cyclical bull market would have a lot of runway.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025
For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-kilometer (508-mile) land border – a dispute that has occasionally exploded into skirmishes and fighting.
—CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Cristina Guevara, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
An off-balance, contested 3-pointer from junior forward Andrew Meadow that bounced off the rim and into the hands of an Aztec at the end of triple overtime will be the defining memory for Boise State (9-5, 1-2 Mountain West) in a 110-107 loss to San Diego State (9-4, 3-0).
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
The contest featured six lead changes and three ties and was closely contested throughout, despite the Trojans never leading by more than a point all night.
—Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
The case resulted from a challenge brought by Siskiyou County resident Mark Baird, who contested both the state’s open-carry ban and the licensing requirements for open-carry permits in rural counties.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Still, the legal authority for the strike remains contested.
—Time, 3 Jan. 2026
The Postal Service contested the Occupational Safety and Health Administration citation and is negotiating a settlement.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
One of the reasons Snyder was unique at the time, Santoli noted, was because of his bearishness during the all-time market peak in 2007, and then asserted in April 2009 that the market’s lows in March of that year wouldn’t be contested and that a new cyclical bull market would have a lot of runway.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025
For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-kilometer (508-mile) land border – a dispute that has occasionally exploded into skirmishes and fighting.
—CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contested
Verb
-
The Avs challenged for offsides, and the goal was taken off the board.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The 90-minute delay challenged everyone in the arena to find ways to kill time.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When the deputy questioned Rustrian, the scuffle began, the source told CBS.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Stokes recently came under fire after several viral social media posts questioned her legal qualifications and reported connection to Second Chance Services, a mental health and addiction clinic in Charlotte.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Walz and other state officials have disputed that estimate.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
6 Jan. 2026
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The utility disputed that claim, saying the outage was an internal problem at the jail.—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contested.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contested. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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