# contested

/kənˈtɛstəd/ (US) · /kəntˈɛstɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/contested
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. disputed or debated

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

describes an idea, fact, or result that people do not agree on.

For teachers: describing a subject, claim, or outcome that is the subject of intense debate or disagreement.

- The results of the election are still contested by the losing side.
- The historian presented a highly contested theory regarding the origins of the manuscript, sparking a heated debate among his peers.

Usage: Often used in academic or political contexts to describe theories or election results.

## Examples

- The results of the close election are still contested.
- The border between the two countries remains a contested area, with both sides claiming historical rights to the land.
- In academic circles, the exact causes of the empire's collapse remain a highly contested topic, with historians debating the relative impact of economic decay versus external invasion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.