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
Prior to a pivotal committee vote on Feb. 20, Fonfara had publicly expressed concerns about Gillett’s leadership and her contentious relationship with the utilities.
—
John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Marshall’s contentious town hall is one of several events across the country where GOP lawmakers have faced angry constituents.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2025
But the president's speech comes at a particularly contentious time.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025
He was tagged in 2024, and ended up playing on it despite some contentious reports about negotiations.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Marshall’s contentious town hall is one of several events across the country where GOP lawmakers have faced angry constituents.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2025
But the president's speech comes at a particularly contentious time.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025
He was tagged in 2024, and ended up playing on it despite some contentious reports about negotiations.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
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The press by Starmer and Macron this week reflects the mounting concern felt by much of Europe that Trump's aggressive push to find an end to the war signals his willingness to concede too much to Russian President Vladimir Putin.—
JILL LAWLESS AND AAMER MADHANI THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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With Oklahoma City, currently the best and most aggressive defense in the league by a wide margin, there isn’t just one candidate.—
Shane Young,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Later in the week, Stahl added another wrinkle to the controversial traffic stop.—
Charles Rabin and,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
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Between something that felt safer, more glamorous and more crowd pleasing, versus something that was a bit more potentially controversial, or something that some people might understand or not understand.—
Alison Edmond,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The militant group has said that the move would affect the remaining hostages as well.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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In December, a coalition of opposition fighters led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took over cities and eventually Damascus as regime forces retreated.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The set-up has grown increasingly hostile over time, and became an impassible roadblock when the Lerner family tried to sell the Nationals back in 2022.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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Prince overcame the hostile environment and kept TCU afloat during the first quarter when the Horned Frogs struggled to find their footing offensively.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Saturday Night Live took aim this week at President Donald Trump‘s combative meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — with an assist from an all-time SNL great.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
1 Mar. 2025
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This sharp critique from Salesforce’s chief executive sets a combative tone, reinforcing why Salesforce sought a potent ally in Google to bolster its AI credentials.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Cold exposure is particularly helpful for those who have irritable skin through the constriction of blood vessels, alleviating swelling and flushes.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
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The elderly single mom, played with an irritable, bone-deep bitterness by Irish actor Fiona Shaw, has spent the past few years paralyzed by an illness no one can diagnose.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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