Synonym Chooser

How does the noun contention contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of contention are conflict, discord, dissension, strife, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When would conflict be a good substitute for contention?

The synonyms conflict and contention are sometimes interchangeable, but conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

Where would discord be a reasonable alternative to contention?

In some situations, the words discord and contention are roughly equivalent. However, discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When can dissension be used instead of contention?

While in some cases nearly identical to contention, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When is it sensible to use strife instead of contention?

The words strife and contention can be used in similar contexts, but strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

When might variance be a better fit than contention?

The meanings of variance and contention largely overlap; however, variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contention The reality is the Blackhawks are still probably a few years away from any sort of contention, and coaches rarely get that long of a runway. Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 22 May 2025 The project has split the community, with the taxpayer tab, which has doubled from initial projections, being a source of contention among critics. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025 No points from either club would likely put them out of qualifying contention, as Juventus and Lazio currently occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the standings with 64 points. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025 After the 2020 election, Fox took her off the air because her promotion of the false contention Dominion voting machines rigged the election against Trump became part of its $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox. Pirro and Martin are not the only dubious department appointees. Carl Leubsdorf, Mercury News, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for contention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contention
Noun
  • Trump has made similar arguments, suggesting that even Biden’s more extreme policies, such as on immigration and the border, may have been imposed by others.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
  • June 26: The Supreme Court upholds parts of the ban and schedules oral arguments for October.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • This is also a historic rivalry, so that's why so many people are tuning in.
    Ryan Stano, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • How can the club improve its image around the world, where international fans are less concerned with local rivalries?
    Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Of greatest concern was their assertion that Volvo Trucks will not be producing autonomy-ready trucks starting in 2027 as has been stated by both companies.
    Richard Bishop, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The memorandum also points out that hearsay—meaning a statement made out-of-court used to prove the truth of an assertion—may be considered in opposing a motion for summary judgment.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • The talk surrounding the Cleveland Browns usually revolves around their quarterback situation and the upcoming competition in training camp and preseason action.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • How To Grow And Care For Sunflowers Potatoes Both potatoes and sunflowers are heavy feeders with deep roots, which puts them in direct competition.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • However, the data doesn't seem to really support this hypothesis in manufacturing.
    Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 27 May 2025
  • For each test, include the specific messaging hypothesis, how to implement it, and how to measure results.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Fires and recovery Crews battle fire burning in Pala, evacuations underway in northern San Diego County.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
  • Recently, a German court quietly ended a landmark legal battle that had spanned nearly a decade.
    Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • The district developed some new policies after discovering COVID created not only bad habits but major struggles for families, including housing, employment and mental health, said Keith Oswald, chief of equity and wellness.
    Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • Goldberg emphasized the struggle to balance his warrior mentality with his body's current limitations, especially during Muay Thai training.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Killer of Killers follows three warriors from different periods in history set against different Predator variants, using the tools of their time to take them on before a larger-scale conflict that will merge all the stories.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Several swaps have previously taken place between the two sides despite the ongoing conflict.
    Todd Symons, CNN Money, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contention. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contention

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