as in challenged
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
vowed to contest the claim in court
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Recent Examples of contested
The trio of Mporokoso, Jones and Hackett combined to take 87 shots, most of them contested, and thrilled the crowd with their terrific play.
—
Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
While more than 50 parties contested the polls, only three -- the People's Party, Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai -- had the nationwide organization and popularity to gain a winning mandate.
—Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
While Los Angeles mayor is the marquee race and has already generated plenty of drama, with surprises coming down to the wire of last Saturday’s filing deadline, many other seats will also be contested in the June 2 primary.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Klæbo is hoping to win a record six Olympic golds in these Games, but this race was closely contested, with Klæbo only breaking away in the final kilometer of the 20-km race.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
But six days into 2025, Peter Seidler’s widow contested control of the team in a lawsuit brought against her brothers-in-law, and manager Mike Shildt retired 11 days after the season ended, citing exhaustion, while many on his staff and in the front office had been exhausted by him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Previously, second-year center Kel’el Ware was named to the Rising Stars competition for first-and second-year players, which will be contested on Friday night.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Cross-country skiing, ski jumping and Nordic combined will be contested here.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Certainly there will be some discussion this weekend of classic games contested inside Allen Fieldhouse.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
While more than 50 parties contested the polls, only three -- the People's Party, Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai -- had the nationwide organization and popularity to gain a winning mandate.
—Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
While Los Angeles mayor is the marquee race and has already generated plenty of drama, with surprises coming down to the wire of last Saturday’s filing deadline, many other seats will also be contested in the June 2 primary.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Klæbo is hoping to win a record six Olympic golds in these Games, but this race was closely contested, with Klæbo only breaking away in the final kilometer of the 20-km race.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
But six days into 2025, Peter Seidler’s widow contested control of the team in a lawsuit brought against her brothers-in-law, and manager Mike Shildt retired 11 days after the season ended, citing exhaustion, while many on his staff and in the front office had been exhausted by him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Previously, second-year center Kel’el Ware was named to the Rising Stars competition for first-and second-year players, which will be contested on Friday night.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Cross-country skiing, ski jumping and Nordic combined will be contested here.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Certainly there will be some discussion this weekend of classic games contested inside Allen Fieldhouse.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contested
Verb
-
The planned 90,000-square-foot project would represent the most significant change to the White House grounds in decades and is advancing even as it is challenged in court and questioned on Capitol Hill.—
Dan Diamond,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
-
He’s being challenged by Kenya Franklin, a media consultant on political campaigns.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hypnotists questioned the children who were with Shannon that afternoon.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
-
While Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos told lawmakers on the record the streamer is about a 45-day exclusive theatrical window for movies, many rival studio sources have questioned the streaming boss’ intent.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Denver drivers continue to be impacted by a change in how parking tickets are disputed.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Reports ahead of the game suggested the NFL had discouraged the gesture, though the league disputed that account.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contested.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contested. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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