Skip to main content
to contest

to contest

33 2.8
To try to win something by competing with other people or groups
  • verb
  • /kənˈtɛst/
translation icon : competir
  • The major objective of American party organizations is to contest elections rather than to promote public policy.
  • contested elections
  • contested seat
  • hotly contested

Examples

  • In the event, Roh won a fiercely contested three-way race, amassing about 36 percent of the total vote.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The Brotherhood thus stands to win the vast majority of the seats that it contests, making a parliamentary plurality highly likely.

    Academic text (2011)
  • If you contest this election, you'll be finished.

  • By 1988, the DPP had contested elections, but only as an illegal party.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Under British rule, the Congress gained experience in contesting elections and in governing at provincial and municipal levels.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Since they are forbidden to contest elections, they openly and actively sponsor the candidacies of "new breed" politicians.

    Academic text (1990)
  • With 33 senatorial seats contested, the current Republican majority, a slim 54-46, could become veto-proof.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Already, there are reports of heavy voter turnout in this hotly contested race between political outsider Elliot Doolittle and businessman Andrew Bridgeworth.

  • Several candidates have decided to contest the upcoming mayoral election in their city.

  • If you choose to contest the results of the voting, you will need to provide clear evidence.

Synonyms

to play
vsto contest
1.0

Compete against another team or player in a sport

is used for trying to win across many events including elections not only games
to compete
vsto contest
983 2.6

Try to win against others who want the same thing

is used especially in formal events like elections rather than casual rivalry
to campaign
vsto contest
344 3.9

To work in a planned way to win support or votes

is the simple act of trying to win rather than a long organized effort
to contend
vsto contest
66 3.7

Compete with others to try to win something

is about trying to win generally, not necessarily implying strong struggle
to vie
vsto contest
50 6.2

To try very hard to win the same thing as someone else

is a general try to win rather than an eager or intense fight
to play to win
vsto contest
9 3.6

Try to win a game or match rather than just take part

is to try to win but not always with focused intention to dominate
3 2.8

To sign up to take part in a contest

is the broader act of trying to win not only the formal registration step
to enter the lists
vsto contest
  • Archaic
9.3

To join a competition that already has other people competing to try to win

is the act of trying to win rather than merely deciding to participate

Antonyms

466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

to relinquish
  • Formal
69 7.2

To give up control, a right, or something you own

Compounds

19 3.2

A competition where people win by being liked, not by ability

A competition where people or teams compete in sports

endurance contest
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A competition that tests how long people can keep going in hard conditions

A contest where people try to prove they are better by bragging

A competition where people try to write words correctly and are out if they make a mistake

A competition where people or companies offer higher prices to win something like at an auction

How Competitive

to fight
1.0
to vie
50 6.2
to compete
983 2.6
to contest
33 2.8
to enter
535 1.1

Surface Forms

contest infinitive
contested past
contested past participle
contesting present participle
contests third person singular

Etymology

To contest (to compete) also comes from the idea of a public challenge, from Latin con- 'together' and testari 'to call as a witness', so imagine people 'calling each other out' to fight for a prize. That is why to contest something can mean to try to win against others.