contentious
Americanadjective
-
tending to argument or strife; quarrelsome.
a contentious crew.
- Synonyms:
- argumentative, disputatious
-
causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy.
contentious issues.
-
Law. pertaining to causes between contending or opposing parties.
adjective
-
tending to argue or quarrel
-
causing or characterized by dispute; controversial
-
law relating to a cause or legal business that is contested, esp a probate matter
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of contentious
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English contenciose, from Latin contentiōsus, from contenti(ō) contention + -ōsus -ous
Explanation
A contentious issue is one that people are likely to argue about, and a contentious person is someone who likes to argue or fight. Some issues are very controversial. They're also contentious, because people tend to argue about them, and the arguments will probably go on forever. Contentious issues get people angry and in a fighting mood. On the other hand, some people always seem to be in a fighting mood, no matter what the issue is. People like that are contentious too.
Vocabulary lists containing contentious
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Federal Reserve will release minutes Wednesday afternoon from an unusually divided and contentious April policy meeting.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
But by the end of a hugely contentious and emotionally wrought night, one which ended with recriminations and angry words, the equation was much less favourable.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
While Reid spoke with Bush about “the need for reconciliation” after a contentious campaign, his message for his own Democratic caucus was unbowed.
From Slate • May 4, 2026
Kashkari was one of four Fed voters to object at the Fed’s April meeting, making Jerome Powell’s last policy decision as Fed chair one of the most contentious in decades.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
The issue, like all issues involving race, was extremely contentious.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
