contentious

[kuhn-ten-shuhs]

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.

contentious

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contentious¹

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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the debate about whether the Hurricanes or Notre Dame most deserves a spot in the playoff has only gotten more contentious.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After several contentious sessions on regulating trade in other species, including eels, the proposal to increase shark protections passed by consensus, which Slee said was a sign of changing perceptions of sharks.

Read more on Barron's

But even with the many welcome provisions, two contentious clauses in the reforms have particularly irked unions.

Read more on BBC

Ray J is married to actor and producer Princess Love Norwood, whom he co-starred with on the reality show “Love & Hip Hop,” which showcased an often contentious relationship.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His family and the team are in the second month of a contentious wrongful death trial.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• antagonistic 
• combative 
• testy