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