contretemps
an inopportune occurrence; an embarrassing mischance: He caused a minor contretemps by knocking over his drink.
Origin of contretemps
1Words Nearby contretemps
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use contretemps in a sentence
Despite the ongoing brutal contretemps, there’s still love, and some laughs, between them.
Exploring a complicated father-daughter relationship | Patrick Folliard | November 7, 2021 | Washington BladeThat seemed like it was the end of the matter but then new life was breathed into the contretemps on Monday.
The contretemps escalated during a commercial break when Khrushchev was handed a note by one of his advisers.
Carter reveals that Jay made weird, borderline mentorly calls to Kimmel long before the Conan contretemps began.
She also said that she did not see the latest contretemps between Lindsay and her father as a “controversy.”
Publishing contretemps aside, Zemeckis said she has no intention of curbing the growth of the Staar empire.
A serious contretemps has occurred which will affect you both if you do not leave immediately on receipt of this.
The Doctor of Pimlico | William Le QueuxBradish was pretty familiar with the phases and the oddities of the dancing craze, but this contretemps rather staggered him.
Blow The Man Down | Holman DayThis little contretemps somewhat dashed their spirits, but they proceeded nevertheless to the fortune-teller's in their cab.
Court Beauties of Old Whitehall | W. R. H. Trowbridge"All Monte Carlo seems to be gossiping about that little contretemps," Draconmeyer continued.
Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo | E. Phillips OppenheimThis contretemps, however, is avoided by placing wet weeds on the eggs and by the general moisture of the nest.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India | Douglas Dewar
British Dictionary definitions for contretemps
/ (ˈkɒntrəˌtɑːn, French kɔ̃trətɑ̃) /
an awkward or difficult situation or mishap
fencing a feint made with the purpose of producing a counterthrust from one's opponent
a small disagreement that is rather embarrassing
Origin of contretemps
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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