contentious

[ kuhn-ten-shuhs ]

/ kənˈtɛn ʃəs /

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See synonyms for: contentious / contentiousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

tending to argument or strife; quarrelsome: a contentious crew.

causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy: contentious issues.

Law. pertaining to causes between contending or opposing parties.

Origin of contentious

1400–50; late Middle English contenciose<Latin contentiōsus, equivalent to contenti(ō) contention + -ōsus-ous

How to use contentious in a sentence

The conservative movement, alongside the oil industry Advertisement , helped to make climate change into a politically contentious issue.
Political Leaders’ Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Risk Are Highly Infectious In A Polarized Nation – Just Like Climate Change Denial|LGBTQ-Editor|October 13, 2020|No Straight News
Confirmation proceedings have generally gotten much more contentious over the years.
Why The Supreme Court’s Reputation Is At Stake|Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux (Amelia.Thomson-DeVeaux@abc.com)|October 12, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Now, it feels like a near certainty that Luján will replace Udall, retaining the seat for the Democrats in an ever-contentious battle for Senate control.
Ben Ray Luján is hoping to become one of the most influential Latino senators|Katelyn Burns|October 1, 2020|Vox
He’s now on the other side of the contentious state ballot measure.
Morning Report: A New Twist in the Navigation Center Saga|Voice of San Diego|October 1, 2020|Voice of San Diego

One of the most contentious ballot measures in North County this election is undoubtedly Measure L in Oceanside.
North County Report: North River Farms and More Big Politifest Convos|Kayla Jimenez|September 30, 2020|Voice of San Diego
And, more contentiously, would you be in favor of striking ISIS in Syria?
Britain Is Preparing for Military Strikes Against ISIS|Nico Hines|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It has long been said that Americans deal forthrightly though contentiously with race, sex, and social issues.
Job Market’s Tough ‘New Normal’: Some Careers Aren’t Coming Back|Zachary Karabell|March 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
"There's something to be done for it, and perhaps mademoiselle's the person to do it," Sherringham contentiously suggested.
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
When we act contentiously and harmfully and passionately and violently, to what have we declined?
A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus With the Encheiridion|Epictetus
Sometimes contentiously prejudiced men are altogether too fond of the dictionary.
The Sources Of Religious Insight|Josiah Royce
"Indeed we do marry—perfectly easily—when we once love," retorted the woman contentiously!
The Sick-a-Bed Lady|Eleanor Hallowell Abbott
"Na, th' ben't one alive," said an old miner, contentiously.
Gordon Keith|Thomas Nelson Page

British Dictionary definitions for contentious

contentious

/ (kənˈtɛnʃəs) /

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

Derived forms of contentious

contentiously, adverbcontentiousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

contentious

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British Dictionary definitions for contentious

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contentious

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Origin of contentious

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How to use contentious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contentious

Derived forms of contentious