1
as in argument
an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate
my contention is that today's lower batting averages are the result of better pitching
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
several actresses seem to be in heated contention for the title of "worst dressed"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contention
Ukraine has proposed holding more talks before the end of June, but believes only a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin can resolve the many issues of contention, Umerov said.
—
Vladimir Soldatkin, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Sunday’s whisper-thin election, too, testified to democratic progress: Results came quickly, efficiently, and without contention or violence.
—Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2025
The structural collapse at the Skyview is in strong contention for the all-around best massacre of the series — featuring an ocean of slapstick visual effects and essential backstory that makes the core of the movie.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 2025
The investigation also recommended fire officers and firefighters be trained in mayday operations, which was another bone of contention for Alston who maintains that all firefighters receive mayday training.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contention
Vladimir Soldatkin, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Sunday’s whisper-thin election, too, testified to democratic progress: Results came quickly, efficiently, and without contention or violence.
—Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2025
The structural collapse at the Skyview is in strong contention for the all-around best massacre of the series — featuring an ocean of slapstick visual effects and essential backstory that makes the core of the movie.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 2025
The investigation also recommended fire officers and firefighters be trained in mayday operations, which was another bone of contention for Alston who maintains that all firefighters receive mayday training.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contention
Noun
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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
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June 26: The Supreme Court upholds parts of the ban and schedules oral arguments for October.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Rivals follows the rivalry between an old money MP, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Tony, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant), who clash over control of a fictional independent TV station in the 1980s.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
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According to a report from TMZ Sports, the on-screen rivalry has become deeply personal.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Under Pennsylvania law, Clary must allege specifics about the supposedly defamatory words, including the speaker, the date, to whom the statement was made and an assertion the statement was, in fact, false.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2025
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Read or listen to the story » Editor’s Pick Photograph by Spencer Platt / Getty Looking for the National Guard in Los Angeles President Trump’s assertions that federal troops have saved the city from destruction did not appear to reflect reality, Emily Witt reports from on the ground in L.A.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Both vodkas have consistently earned medals in international spirit competitions.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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The fellowship already has a partnership with the Austin Film Festival’s script competition.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Noun
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The best evidence for this hypothesis comes from micro-caps.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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This hypothesis, formulated by the mineralogist Robert Hazen and the astrobiologist Michael Wong of the Carnegie Institution in Washington, DC, along with a team of others, has provoked intense debate.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
Noun
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The two journalists paid tribute to the late MTV VJ, who died Wednesday following a prolonged battle with breast cancer, during a CNN segment on Thursday.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
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The ruling adds to a larger ongoing legal battle over a 90-year-old Supreme Court decision known as Humphrey’s Executor.—
Lea Skene,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Spade's death on June 5, 2018, stunned the fashion world, highlighting the silent struggles behind one of the industry's biggest names and, along with the death of Anthony Bourdain three days later, sparked a broader conversation about mental health amidst fame and success.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
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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
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Bloody conflicts continued to occur throughout the 20th century.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
7 June 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Contention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contention. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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