The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word VYING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
V
Y
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result VYING
- Sides in varsity home game initially in contention
- Imposing taxes without the French competing
- Outsiders in very popular government in contention
- Very good start, embracing the female principle in competition
- Very unknown at home, German’s competing
- Jealously losing cockney female striving for superiority
- In competition with section of Navy in Gulf
- . Struggling from envy in group
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "in contention" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case in contention = vying.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does VYING mean?
VYING verb- To fight for superiority; to contend; to compete eagerly so as to gain something.
- To rival (something), etc.
- To do or produce in emulation, competition, or rivalry; to put in competition; to bandy.
- To stake; to wager.
- To stake a sum of money upon a hand of cards, as in the old game of gleek. See revie.
- The act of one who vies; rivalry.