widely contested

USAGE SUMMARY

'widely contested' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been debated or argued about by many people. For example: The decision to put the company's new headquarters in the city centre was widely contested due to the high property values in the area.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

(Government statistics suggest a lower percentage but are widely contested by activists).

The New York Times - Magazine

The political standoff began when Maduro won reelection in a widely contested vote in May.

The Washington Post

Although the term agency is mainly used in a straightforward way, its presuppositions are widely contested.

Britannica

We find that this profit-oriented venue was widely contested by preservation-minded residents, who expressed concern that this structure would compromise Elora's heritage image.

Journal of Rural Studies

Gelb is not alone among opera chiefs in his approach, although the increasingly dominant role of the director in reinterpreting familiar story lines has been widely contested.

The New Yorker

Chen noted that net neutrality is a widely contested term, and that most discussion "has focused on telecommunications carriers and how they operate and manage their physical networks".

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

As the legend goes, the first time the Sex Pistols former manager heard Game Boy music he turned to then-collaborators Jacques Fantino and Thierry Criscione and exclaimed, "It sounds ugly... but this music is so beautiful!" McLaren would then go on to make the widely-contested claim that chiptune was punk, "the next step in the evolution of rock and roll".

Vice

Two widely heralded yet contested approaches to economics have emerged in recent years: one emphasizes evolutionary theory in terms of individuals and institutions; the other views economies as complex adaptive systems.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As above in section 2.1, everything here depends on what position we take more widely on highly contested issues of conceptual analysis and naturalistic reduction.

SEP

One widely discussed and contested model is the neutral community model (NCM).

Plosone

Since then the charge of genocide has been both widely applied but also contested.

University of Pennsylvania

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widely contested", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the contesting. Providing specific examples or sources of the contestation will strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "widely contested" if the disagreement is limited to a small group or a niche area. Overstating the breadth of the contestation can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely contested" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is subject to significant disagreement or debate. It implies that there is a lack of consensus and that the subject is being actively challenged, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "widely contested" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that is subject to significant debate and disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific publications. When employing "widely contested", clarity regarding who is contesting and why is crucial for effective communication. While alternatives such as "broadly disputed" or "extensively debated" exist, "widely contested" specifically implies an ongoing challenge or dispute. Understanding its nuances ensures precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broadly disputed

Emphasizes the extent of disagreement across a wide range of opinions.

extensively debated

Highlights the thoroughness and length of the discussion.

largely challenged

Focuses on the act of questioning and disputing the validity of something by many.

subject to widespread debate

Shifts the focus to the topic being the center of discussion.

open to considerable doubt

Indicates a significant level of uncertainty and skepticism.

a matter of significant controversy

Highlights the contentious nature and public disagreement.

under considerable scrutiny

Emphasizes the detailed and critical examination by many.

hotly debated

Suggests a more passionate and intense level of disagreement.

subject to contention

Highlights that the subject creates argument and disagreement.

meets with considerable disagreement

Focuses on that something faces a large amount of opposition.

FAQs

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

You can use "widely contested" to describe a claim, idea, or election result that many people disagree with or challenge. For example, "The election results were "widely contested" by the opposition party".

What are some alternatives to "widely contested"?

Alternatives include "broadly disputed", "extensively debated", or "largely challenged". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "widely disputed" or "widely contested"?

Both "widely disputed" and "widely contested" are acceptable, but "widely contested" often implies a more active and ongoing disagreement. "Disputed" suggests the disagreement might be more settled, but still exists.

What makes an election "widely contested"?

An election might be "widely contested" if there are credible allegations of fraud, irregularities, or unfair practices that lead a significant portion of the population to question the results. Also if the election was "closely contested" could be challenged.