contested

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "contested" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means "to dispute or challenge something" or "to be a subject of disagreement or debate". Example sentence: The contested presidential election was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a tense and hotly contested Nigerian election, Africa's biggest democratic contest has been decided.

The Guardian

So far, each of Ireland, Scotland, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan have acquitted themselves wonderfully, with Ireland beating West Indies, and the two best contested and closest matches coming between Ireland and UAE and Scotland and Afghanistan.

The Guardian - Sport

He has contested the presidential election three times and lost, and ended up in court.

The Guardian

But as soon as I press on how this charming man could have caused such offence, every point becomes contested.

The Guardian

But both said all action taken by the Australian government was consistent with its international obligations, a claim fervently contested by human rights groups and opposition politicians.

The Guardian

As guest host Jack Dee read out the final scores, he told viewers: "Of course the scores have always been hotly contested on this show.

The Guardian

Most controversial is the banning of pesticides because of their environmental harm, often contested.

The Guardian

They won the contested possession count by 19, a yawning gap that you'd think points to future struggles for Adam Simpson's side.

The Guardian - Sport

In 1979 he contested Cornwall and Plymouth in the European parliamentary election for the Ecology party.

The Guardian

That view is contested by Michal Kami´nski, the leading PiS candidate in Warsaw who is a former spin doctor and campaign manager for Lech Kaczy´nski, the Polish president.

The Guardian

The home side found space easily and moved the ball quickly, while they won the contested possession count 143-119.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contested" to describe an election or competition, ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the dispute or challenge involved.

Common error

Avoid using "contested" simply to mean that something was competitive. "Contested" implies an element of dispute, challenge, or controversy, not just a close competition.

Linguistic Context

The word "contested" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is subject to dispute or challenge. Ludwig AI validates this usage, providing numerous examples where "contested" describes elections, decisions, and territories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "contested" is a versatile term primarily functioning as an adjective to denote disagreement or dispute surrounding a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts such as elections, decisions, and territories. When writing, remember that "contested" signifies more than just competition; it implies an element of challenge or controversy. With its frequent appearance in news media and formal discussions, "contested" generally maintains a neutral tone. By considering its subtle nuances, you can effectively convey the true nature of any contentious situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disputed

Focuses on the act of questioning or denying something's validity.

challenged

Highlights the act of formally questioning or objecting to a decision or statement.

contentious

Emphasizes the likelihood of causing an argument or dispute.

debated

Implies a formal discussion or argument about a particular topic.

arguable

Indicates that something is open to debate or question.

questionable

Suggests doubt about the validity or appropriateness of something.

in dispute

Highlights the state of being disagreed upon or argued over.

at issue

Focuses on the specific point or matter being debated.

up for debate

Indicates that a topic is currently being discussed and considered.

under scrutiny

Emphasizes that something is being closely and critically examined.

FAQs

How to use "contested" in a sentence?

You can use "contested" to describe something that is disputed or challenged, such as "a "contested election"", or "a "contested decision"".

What can I say instead of "contested"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "disputed", "challenged", or "contentious".

Is it correct to say "a contested result"?

Yes, "a "contested result"" is a correct and common usage, especially in the context of elections or competitions where the outcome is disputed.

What's the difference between "contested" and "competitive"?

"Contested" implies a dispute or challenge, while "competitive" simply means there was strong competition. A race can be competitive without being "contested", but a "contested" outcome is often also competitive.