contest

An event in which people try to win by doing something better than others.

• She entered a singing contest.
• The contest winner received a new bicycle.
• Who won the spelling contest?

Similar words: competition

Common phrases: spelling contest, enter a contest, win a contest

An argument or disagreement about something.

• The claim was accepted without contest.
• A bitter contest arose over the boundary.
• Their contest concerned the right to collect taxes.

Similar words: dispute, debate, controversy

Opposites: agreement

Common phrases: contest over something, without contest

To say that a decision, claim, or result is wrong and try to change it.

• They contested the court’s decision.
• His daughter is contesting the will.
• Will you contest the election result?

Similar words: challenge, dispute, oppose

Opposites: accept

Common phrases: contest a decision, contest a will, contest the result

To try to win a position or gain power in a competition or election.

• Three candidates will contest the seat.
• Her party contested every district in the election.
• He plans to contest the leadership next year.

How to use it: contest something (She will contest a seat in the next election.)

Similar words: compete for, vie for

Common phrases: contest a seat, contest an election

To fight hard to keep control of something or stop others taking it.

• The soldiers contested every inch of ground.
• The defenders contested the bridge until nightfall.
• They fiercely contested the enemy’s advance through the valley.

Similar words: defend, fight for

Opposites: surrender

Common phrases: contest every inch, contest the ground