highly contested

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly contested" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is vigorously disputed or debated. For example, "The new tax law is highly contested by members of both parties in Congress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The 2013 race was highly contested.

The New York Times

The referendum was highly contested.

The Guardian - Business

The cons: Conflict can be a highly contested term.

The Guardian

The two issues are both emotional and highly contested.

The New Yorker

"You have a mayoral race that is highly contested.

The New York Times

Today, the legacy of Al Andalus is highly contested.

The New York Times

How to handle interviews with fringe and extreme voices is a highly contested issue.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has only recently been discovered and is already highly contested.

The Guardian

These assumptions are not scientific, they are political, subjective and highly contested.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's no surprise then that the online rights of the English Premier League are highly contested.

TechCrunch

In its prescriptive usage, 'equality' is a loaded and 'highly contested' concept.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly contested" to accurately describe situations where there's significant disagreement and active debate, particularly in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "highly contested" in overly casual or informal settings. Simpler terms like "arguable" or "disputed" might be more appropriate for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly contested" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It signifies that the noun it modifies (e.g., election, issue, concept) is the subject of significant disagreement or dispute, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly contested" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is strongly disputed or debated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal contexts such as news reporting, academic discussions, and professional settings. While it's a versatile phrase, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for casual conversations. Remember to use "highly contested" when you want to emphasize the presence of strong opposing viewpoints and active debate surrounding a particular topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fiercely debated

Emphasizes the intensity and passion involved in the debate.

heavily disputed

Highlights the significant disagreement and challenge to a particular point or issue.

strongly challenged

Focuses on the act of opposing or questioning something with considerable force.

hotly debated

Implies a debate filled with emotion and strong opinions.

acrimoniously discussed

Suggests a bitter and harsh discussion, often with personal attacks.

vigorously argued

Highlights the energetic and forceful nature of the arguments presented.

contentious issue

Shifts the focus to the subject itself being a source of disagreement.

matter of dispute

General term for something that is being argued about or questioned.

much debated

Indicates that a topic has been discussed extensively.

under strong contention

Highlights that a particular topic is subject to strong disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "highly contested" in a sentence?

You can use "highly contested" to describe an election, idea, or legal battle that is strongly disputed. For example, "The election was "highly contested", with allegations of voter fraud from both sides".

What are some alternatives to "highly contested"?

Alternatives include "fiercely debated", "heavily disputed", or "strongly challenged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "highly contested" formal or informal?

"Highly contested" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, news, or professional writing. Simpler terms are more appropriate for casual conversation.

What makes something "highly contested"?

A topic is "highly contested" when there are strong, opposing viewpoints and active debate surrounding it. This often involves high stakes or significant consequences for the outcome.