CONTESTATION Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

contestation

noun

ˌkän-ˌte-ˈstā-shən

Definition of contestation

as in dispute

variance of opinion on a matter the statement is certainly open to contestation among reasonable people

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contestation In particular, Iran’s cinematic identity over the past century has been characterized by the contestation of hegemonic forces, both secular and fundamentalist. — Nick Kouhi, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2026 What supplies all these events with a sense of approaching a precipice is the open contestation between pro- and anti-democratic forces, happening both here and abroad, in view of each other. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026 That makes some of these contestations existential, particularly for smaller combatants. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 12 Jan. 2026 Indeed, the existence of avenues for contestation is in the very nature of competitive authoritarianism. — Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contestation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contestation

Noun

Several other important artifacts of Mexica origin that have been part of repatriation disputes are also currently housed at the Weltmuseum.

— News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
The dispute emerged as a rare point of overt contention in last week’s bankruptcy hearing, which was dominated by the news that golfer Jon Rahm would be parting ways with the LIV Golf.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

The subject was not about his arrest, nor the resulting controversy consuming the Wolverine’s football program.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The homecoming reignited controversy over conditions endured during the unusually long deployment and reports of multiple sailors attempting suicide.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of controversy

Noun

This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.

— Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025

Definition of disputation

Noun

With recent polls showing Raman in the lead, the councilmember will likely try to avoid making any kind of flub during the in-studio debate hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo52 in Universal City.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
In July, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham brought the debate to the WNBA, telling ESPN trans women shouldn’t be allowed to play in the league.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of debate

Noun

Gowanus Green, as shown in this rendering, is planned to be 100 percent affordable, but construction stalled due to disagreements over cleanup standards.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
Despite the deep divide on governance, and disagreements on governance in Bangladesh, the 300-signatory milestone demonstrates that international brands remain committed to the Accord’s core principle.

— Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of disagreement

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contestants

contestation

contestations

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“Contestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contestation. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contestation

noun

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