1
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
the Tartars were a contentious people who terrorized much of Asia and eastern Europe during the Middle Ages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversial
given to arguing
a tiresomely contentious person who likes to argue for the sake of arguing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in difficult
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
gun control is likely to be a contentious subject in any group discussion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contentious
One possible explanation is the end of No Child Left Behind, the contentious school accountability law President George W. Bush signed in 2002.
—
Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Since her freshman season, Kenya changed the trajectory of RHOA with her over-the-top antics and affinity for pushing the boundaries of her castmates through verbal sparring, invading personal space, and being an overall contentious human being.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
But the project was again at the center of last week’s nearly five-hour contentious meeting and a lawsuit filed in January.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
These comments seemed to further his feud with the agency following a contentious 2018 Tesla settlement over Musk's tweets that resulted in the Supreme Court declining to hear Musk's arguments against his tweets being monitored by the SEC.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Since her freshman season, Kenya changed the trajectory of RHOA with her over-the-top antics and affinity for pushing the boundaries of her castmates through verbal sparring, invading personal space, and being an overall contentious human being.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
But the project was again at the center of last week’s nearly five-hour contentious meeting and a lawsuit filed in January.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
These comments seemed to further his feud with the agency following a contentious 2018 Tesla settlement over Musk's tweets that resulted in the Supreme Court declining to hear Musk's arguments against his tweets being monitored by the SEC.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
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Young has struggled against the Heat’s aggressive defense in recent years.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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Even though Trump showed signs of softening his aggressive tariff plan with an exemption last week for smartphones, computers and other electronics and floated a temporary exemption for autos, the administration continues to be amadamant more tariffs are coming soon.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Day, a 13-time PGA Tour winner and the winner of the 2015 PGA Championship, revealed this week that he was asked to remove his controversial sweater vest at last year’s Masters, during a round in which he was partnered with Tiger Woods.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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But Sound of Freedom, while popular with conservative audiences, was also controversial.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The group wrote to Bondi to argue that the influencer should be investigated over whether she has been paid to spread propaganda for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in Gaza, it was first reported by the New York Post.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
8 Apr. 2025
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And in Lebanon, a series of Israeli attacks on the country have decapitated the militant group Hezbollah.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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John Shine described to me a research trip to the hostile mountain environs of Tasmania, where snakes stay under cover except for the 20 or 30 warm days each year.—
Stephen S. Hall,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
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Union members shared other experiences and stories, including those of an increasingly hostile work environment for some.—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While slightly less combative than Kayhan, Javan still conveyed conditional skepticism, framing Washington's intentions as unclear and demanding visible signs of commitment before endorsing the process.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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Shia LaBeouf accused of 'combative' acting, physical abuse This isn't the first time LaBeouf has been accused of professional misconduct and physical abuse.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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This stretch can worsen pain in people with back pain, very tight hamstrings, or irritable nerves.—
Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT,
Verywell Health,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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