1.contest的本意是“争论”,现代英语中可指任何善意或恶意的旨在较量能力、力量、耐力、策略、技艺的争斗与竞争,也指在竞赛中一个人的娴熟技巧或优越性可以毫无保留地展示出来。主要用于竞选、辩论、比赛场合。
2.contest可用作及物动词,也可用作不及物动词。用作及物动词时接名词或代词作宾语；用作不及物动词时常与介词against 连用表示“与…竞争”,与介词for连用表示“为获得…而竞争”,与介词with连用表示“与…作斗争”。

contest against(v.+prep.)
与…竞争 compete against (others)
〔说明〕 contest against常不用于进行体。
▲contest against sb/sth
They contested against unreasonable regulations.他们反对不合理的规定。
She had to contest against a very strong opponent for the championship.她必须与强手角逐争夺冠军。

contest for(v.+prep.)
为获得…而竞争 try to win (sth such as a prize or trade) in competition with (sb or sth)
▲contest for sth
They contested for the position of minister of foreign affairs.他们在竞争外交部长的职位。
The two teams were contesting for the cup.两队在争夺奖杯。
The crow contested one another for nesting territory.乌鸦互相争夺筑巢之地。

contest with(v.+prep.)
与…作斗争 fight against (sb or sth)
▲contest with sb/sth
He was reluctant to contest with Mag.他不愿与玛格竞争。
The two boys with each other to see who was better.两个孩子较量比个高低。
I had to contest with deep-rooted prejudice.我得和根深蒂固的偏见作斗争。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
How many people are contesting this seat on the city council?有多少人在竞争市议会的这个席位?
They contested every point.他们逐点进行争论。
He's contesting the election next week.他在争取下周当选。
I intend to contest the judge's decision in another court.我打算在另一个法庭上反驳法官的裁决。
The soldiers contested every inch of land.士兵们寸土必争。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
The prize was hotly contested.对奖品的竞争很激烈。
The referee's decision was contested by the loser.负方对裁判的裁决有异议。

contest, compete, contend
参见contend条。

We entered a fishing contest.我们参加了钓鱼比赛。
She took the first place in the beauty contest.她在选美比赛中得了第一名。
He won the contest for the deputy leadership.他在副职竞争中获胜。
This is man's contest with nature.这是人与大自然的搏斗。

contest, competition, emulation, race
参见race条。

［同义词］ n. battle, dispute