uncontested

USAGE SUMMARY

"uncontested" is a valid word which can be used in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe a situation in which all parties involved agree on something, and there is no opposition. For example, you could say: The election results for the mayor were uncontested, as there were no other candidates running for the role.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It isn't going to win because it never wins; because everyone hates us, because we insist on swanning into the final uncontested like a gaggle of entitled wazzocks, and because we're not allowed to choose who actually represents us.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

However NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams remains the uncontested champion among the evening news broadcasts.

The Guardian

Daenerys Targaryen - the woman who emerged triumphant from a trial by fire to be acclaimed as the uncontested leader of her people.

The Guardian

Australia expected the referee to allow them virtually uncontested ball, but as long as England came through the gate correctly, George Clancy waved play on and Genia was often a-dither.

The Guardian - Sport

A relatively low (though growing) turnout rate and the over-representation of Latino voters in uncontested states almost half live in California and Texas alone limits the influence in presidential elections of those who can vote.Still, the Democratic tilt of Latinos has set states swinging.

The Economist

Instead, they should ponder the example of one of the EU's few uncontested triumphs, the single market, and apply its lessons to the seas.

The Economist

The country has not had an uncontested census since gaining its independence in 1960.

The Economist

This time, the CPI(M) won nearly 6,000 seats uncontested; the main opposition parties won 20.Another reason why West Bengal's local polls are so bloody is that, unlike in state and national elections, the CPI(M)'s allies contest them separately.

The Economist

The report speaks of her horror to learn that, even though many details of the abuse were "uncontested facts", Rotherham council members "denied that there had been a problem, or if there had been, that it was as big as was said".Unsurprisingly, then, Ms Casey declared the council "incapable of tackling its weaknesses without a sustained intervention".

The Economist

After a decade of uncontested dominance, the superiority of American-style capitalism was suddenly in doubt.

The Economist

An uncontested divorce now takes about half a year, she says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "uncontested" to emphasize the absence of opposition or dispute, particularly in contexts where agreement or acceptance is significant. For instance, in legal or political scenarios, it clarifies that no formal challenge has been made.

Common error

Avoid using "uncontested" when there's only a perceived or weakly supported agreement. Ensure genuine consensus or a lack of formal challenge exists, or choose a more fitting descriptor like "ostensibly agreed" or "nominally accepted".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "uncontested" primarily functions to modify a noun, indicating that the noun in question is not subject to any dispute or challenge. This aligns with Ludwig's demonstration of its use across various contexts, like elections or leadership positions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "uncontested" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective to describe situations or facts that are not disputed or challenged. As Ludwig confirms, its primary function is to modify nouns, indicating a lack of opposition. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, media, and formal business settings, with a neutral register. When using "uncontested", ensure that there is a true absence of dispute, as misapplication can weaken your statement's accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undisputed

Similar in meaning, but often implies a stronger, more emphatic agreement.

unchallenged

Focuses on the absence of any challenge or questioning.

indisputable

Emphasizes the certainty and obviousness of the agreement.

unquestioned

Highlights that something is accepted without any doubt or inquiry.

uncontroversial

Indicates that the matter does not cause disagreement or debate.

unrivaled

Suggests a lack of competition or a clear superiority.

unopposed

Specifically refers to a situation where there is no opponent or competitor.

acknowledged

Implies a recognition or acceptance of something, often implicitly.

agreed-upon

Highlights the consensus or agreement reached among parties.

settled

Indicates a matter that has been resolved and is no longer open for debate.

FAQs

How to use "uncontested" in a sentence?

The word "uncontested" is used to describe something that is not disputed or challenged. For example, "The election was "uncontested" because only one candidate ran."

What can I say instead of "uncontested"?

You can use alternatives like "undisputed", "unchallenged", or "indisputable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "uncontested fact" or "uncontestable fact"?

Both "uncontested fact" and "uncontestable fact" are grammatically correct, but "uncontested fact" is more commonly used. "Uncontested" implies that the fact has not been challenged, while "uncontestable" means it cannot be challenged.

What's the difference between "uncontested" and "unopposed"?

"Uncontested" generally means not disputed, whereas "unopposed" specifically means having no opponent, such as in an election. Therefore, "unopposed" is a more specific case of "uncontested".