Main Entry: con·ten·tious

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈten(t)-shəs\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : likely to cause contention <a contentious argument>
2 : exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes <a man of a most contentious nature>

synonyms see belligerent

— con·ten·tious·ly adverb

— con·ten·tious·ness noun