contested
Contested (adj) means Disputed or challenged; not settled or agreed upon. Example: “The election results were hotly contested.”
adj
1
Disputed or challenged; not settled or agreed upon.
"The election results were hotly contested."
"The ownership of the land remains contested by two neighbouring villages."
"It was a closely contested race, and nobody knew who would win."
How to use contested
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething being actively challenged or argued over rather than accepted.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more contested
- Superlative
- most contested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The election results were hotly _____.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
uncontested
Related words
Rhymes for contested
vested
rested
invested
arrested
detested
untested
requested
congested
interested
uninterested
disinterested
See all rhymes for contested →
Frequently asked questions
What does “contested” mean?
The word “contested” means disputed or challenged; not settled or agreed upon. In plain terms, something being actively challenged or argued over rather than accepted.
How do you use “contested” in a sentence?
Here is “contested” used in a sentence: “The election results were hotly contested.”
What part of speech is “contested”?
“Contested” is an adjective.
Is “contested” a common word?
“Contested” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between contested and disputed?
Contested and disputed are close synonyms, both meaning challenged or not settled, but contested is more often used for elections, competitions, and legal claims, as in a contested election or a contested will. Disputed leans slightly more toward facts, claims, or territory, as in a disputed border.
What does it mean for an election to be contested?
A contested election is one in which the outcome is challenged or actively fought over, either because multiple candidates are competing closely or because the result itself is being formally disputed. This contrasts with an uncontested election, where only one candidate runs or no challenge is raised.
What is a contested divorce?
A contested divorce is one in which the spouses cannot agree on key terms, such as property division, custody, or support, so the matter must be settled through negotiation or a court decision. This differs from an uncontested divorce, where both parties agree on the terms in advance.
