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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contentious
Amorim’s departure has led to a transition from his highly contentious 3-4-3 system to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 under interim replacement Michael Carrick.
—
James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But while the chemistry onscreen seemed effortless, creative differences behind-the-scenes made things a bit contentious.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
The most contentious element of the package was the two-week stopgap for Homeland Security.
—Nik Popli, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
One of the most contentious elements of the transition has been the release of political prisoners.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contentious
James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
But while the chemistry onscreen seemed effortless, creative differences behind-the-scenes made things a bit contentious.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
The most contentious element of the package was the two-week stopgap for Homeland Security.
—Nik Popli, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
One of the most contentious elements of the transition has been the release of political prisoners.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
-
In the meantime, an unstable government could become more rather than less aggressive, not least to keep younger hard-liners from rebelling.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Wiener helped push two new California laws last year — the No Secret Police Act and the No Vigilantes Act — in the wake of intense and aggressive immigration enforcement by masked ICE and other federal agents in California and around the country.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For instance, one very controversial current issue is whether women can keep their original names, the names they’re born with, after getting married.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
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Another theory posited that the 64 was a reference to the initial government death toll for 2017's Hurricane Maria, a controversial claim that was eventually corrected to 1,427.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Training and case management through FRAP is supposed to help attorneys deal with what Clegg calls a difficult area of law.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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Will this race and the other changes create an opportunity for NASCAR to turn the page on its difficult 2025?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Although Pakistan's capital has seen relatively few attacks compared with other regions, the country has experienced a recent rise in militant violence.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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Although Pakistan’s capital has seen relatively few attacks compared with other regions, the country has experienced a recent rise in militant violence.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Colleges and universities nationwide continue to grapple with polemic issues associated with the fair treatment of individuals of differing backgrounds, political persuasions, and sexuality.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The hostile bid came as Nexstar Media Group agreed to acquire Tegna, in a $6 billion transaction that would run afoul of the FCC’s 39% ownership cap; Nexstar has filed for a waiver to the ownership cap.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
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The 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer’s celebration of Hispanic culture could hardly have arrived at a more hostile moment for Latinos.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Comprised primarily of covers of Memphis non-hits, Behind the Magnolia Curtain is a bizarre record, its confrontational lack of chops intensifying its cockeyed charisma and ribaldry.—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
8 Feb. 2026
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Preston’s remark, consistent with his confrontational style on the trail, points to the foundations of the race.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Attorney General Pam Bondi sparred with Democrats about her year-long tenure at the Department of Justice, in a combative, hours-long hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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Here are seven key takeaways from the combative hearing.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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