Contestation

con·test  (kntst)

n.

1. A struggle for superiority or victory between rivals.

2. A competition, especially one in which entrants perform separately and are rated by judges. See Synonyms at conflict.

v. (kn-tst, kntst) con·test·ed, con·test·ing, con·tests

v.tr.

1. To compete or strive for.

2. To call into question and take an active stand against; dispute or challenge: contest a will. See Synonyms at oppose.

v.intr.

To struggle or compete; contend: contested with other bidders for the antique.

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[Probably from French conteste, from contester, to dispute, from Old French, to call to witness, from Latin contestr : com-, com- + testis, witness; see trei- in Indo-European roots.]

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con·testa·ble adj.

contes·tation (knt-stshn) n.

con·tester n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

contestation - a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument" controversy, disceptation, arguing, argument, contention, disputation, tilt difference of opinion, dispute, difference, conflict - a disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats" argle-bargle, argy-bargy - a verbal dispute; a wrangling argument firestorm - an outburst of controversy; "the incident triggered a political firestorm" sparring - an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage polemic - a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma) fight - an intense verbal dispute; "a violent fight over the bill is expected in the Senate"