contentious

American  

[kuhn-ten-shuhs] / kənˈtɛn ʃəs /

adjective

1. tending to argument or strife; quarrelsome.

   a contentious crew.

   Synonyms:

   argumentative, disputatious

2. causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy.

   contentious issues.

3. Law. pertaining to causes between contending or opposing parties.

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contentious British  

/ kənˈtɛnʃəs /

adjective

1. tending to argue or quarrel

2. causing or characterized by dispute; controversial

3. law relating to a cause or legal business that is contested, esp a probate matter

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Other Word Forms

• contentiously adverb
• contentiousness noun
• noncontentious adjective
• noncontentiously adverb
• overcontentious adjective
• overcontentiously adverb
• overcontentiousness noun
• uncontentious adjective
• uncontentiously adverb
• uncontentiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of contentious

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English contenciose, from Latin contentiōsus, from contenti(ō) contention + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

Now, a yearlong government study has sparked a contentious new round of debate about the disappeared.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Sweeping contentious issues under the rug and relegating them to wanton aggravation is one major way of letting these same topics fester.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

One area of healthcare that is frequently contentious and can largely be compared across the UK is A&E waiting times.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Even issues that would go on to be more contentious within feminism and outside it—body positivity, trans rights—did crucial work.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

“He also gives us daily bread to nourish our bodies, that we may have strength for our work in the world,” I say, feeling a contentious spirit rise in me.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• antagonistic
• combative
• testy