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contest Definition

con·test (kən test′; for n. kän′test′)

transitive verb

  1. to try to disprove or invalidate (something) as by argument or legal action; dispute to contest a will
  2. to fight for (ground, a military position, etc.); struggle to win or keep

Etymology: Fr contester < L contestari, to call to witness, bring action < com-, together + testari, to bear witness < testis, a witness: see testify

intransitive verb

to contend; struggle (with or against)

noun

  1. a fight, struggle, conflict, or controversy
  2. any race, game, debate, etc. in which individuals or teams compete with one another to determine the winner

contest Related Forms

con·test′·able adjective con·test′er noun

contest Synonyms

contest

n.

  1. A competition

    trial, match, game; see competition 1, 2.

  2. A conflict

    engagement, controversy, struggle; see battle 1, 2, dispute, fight 1. See syn. study at fight.

contest Synonyms

contest

v.

  1. To oppose

    dispute, challenge, question, stand up for the other side; see argue 1, oppose 1.

  2. To fight

    contend, battle, defend, struggle, wrangle, altercate, conflict, quarrel, brawl, scuffle, feud, attack, strike, tilt, have a run-in with*, take on*, take on all comers*; see also dare 2, fight 2.

    Antonyms concede, rest*, shake hands.

contest Usage Examples

Object

  • by-election: That fact was underlined by the way in which the decision to contest the by-election was taken.
  • election: Seven members of the RCA had contested the election, two of whom were unofficial candidates.

Converse of object

  • win: The last several years have been very eventful with winning three area contests in four years.
  • enthrall: Reading Bulldogs defeated their local rivals Swindon Robins 46-44 in what was an enthralling contest between two Elite League heavy weights at Smallmead Stadium.
  • plead: On the first, the ferret pleads no contest.
  • songwrite: I'm not surprised it has done so well in the songwriting contest.
  • enter: In 1940 a friend dared her to enter a singing contest, which she won.

Adjective modifier

  • closely-fought: After a closely-fought contest against two other experienced candidates, Councilor Willie was selected to fight the seat again.
  • gladiatorial: Designed for theatrical performances, later alterations allowed gladiatorial contests to be held here.
  • athletic: These include horse races, the killing of bears, athletic contests, special dances and theatrical performances.
  • one-sided: Craig Reid bagged two goals and an unnamed Nigerian grabbed another as the Bairns romped home as too-easy winners in the one-sided contest.
  • presidential: The decisive factor will be the House elections, not the Presidential contest.

Modifies a noun

prep: My base diet is always the same for contest prep all that changes is the amount of carbs.

Noun used with modifier

  • leadership: The leadership contest will be the longest in history.
  • popularity: This isn't a popularity contest, I just save dogs ' lives.
  • beauty: You will have a kind of beauty contest between schools.
  • archery: The archery contest began on Monday, with Jim Middlemas and Graham Brough in 8th and 25th place respectively in the men's recurve.
  • talent: He later developed a taste for secular music and entered numerous talent contests, eventually landing a record deal with Fantasy in 1968.
  • trivia: This one book will answer almost any trivia contest you and your friends have.

Preposition: from

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