CONTENTION Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

contention

noun

kən-ˈten(t)-shən

Definition of contention

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

Relevance

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

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 Miami is 52-54 and falling out of contention in the East and for a wild card in the National League. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 27 July 2026 The Royals, Athletics and Los Angeles Angels are far out of contention. — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 27 July 2026 There’s an obvious downside, of course, if the Sox bullpen couldn’t pick up the slack after losing one or both veteran relievers and the team fell out of contention. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 The Strait of Hormuz has been a major source of contention since the war with Iran broke out in February. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for contention

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contention

Noun

During the primary, the former Fox News host repeatedly made a different argument.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
According to Darby Township Police, the shooting happened after an argument between two customers inside the store in Glenolden.

— Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of argument

Noun

The unusually open rivalry within the theocracy's leadership points to a struggle for control over Iran’s postwar future.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
That leaves the door open for the continuation of the blockbuster rivalry between Rhodes and Orton, who has been off TV for the past few months.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

Trump’s assertion Thursday that Palestinian Hamas militants and other armed groups had agreed to disarm had raised hopes of a turning point in the conflict.

— Reuters, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
Greg Powers Photography Claiming to have the largest whiskey selection in America was always a dubious assertion.

— Don Tse, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of assertion

Noun

Purchase data confirmed a hypothesis that conventional epidemiology had to generate first, which is useful and which is a different job from finding the vendor.

— John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
For a long time, our leading hypothesis was bullying and violence, but that may be a bit impractical, given their kingdoms are vast networks of tunnels that can stretch for up to three kilometers.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Definition of hypothesis

Noun

The unusually open rivalry within the theocracy's leadership points to a struggle for control over Iran’s postwar future.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
After another defeat underscored the team's post-All-Star break skid and bullpen struggles, Dombrowski was seen putting his arm around Harper in front of teammates.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

The Iranian military fired six missiles on Jordan today, according to the Jordan Armed Forces, as the regional conflict expands.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Lario stressed that hunger and conflict often reinforce one another, creating a cycle that is difficult to break without greater stability.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026

Definition of conflict

Browse Nearby Words

contenting

contention

contentions

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contention. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of contention

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on contention

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes