contretemps

con·tre·temps

noun \ˈkän-trə-ˌtäⁿ, kōⁿ-trə-täⁿ\

plural con·tre·temps \-(ˌ)täⁿ(z)\

Definition of CONTRETEMPS

1

: an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation

2

: dispute, argument

Examples of CONTRETEMPS

1. The senator dismissed his disagreement with the President as a minor contretemps.
2. <there was a bit of a contretemps over the seating arrangements for the upcoming wedding>

Origin of CONTRETEMPS

French, from contre- counter- + temps time, from Latin tempus

First Known Use: 1769

Related to CONTRETEMPS

Synonyms

altercation, argle-bargle [chiefly British], argy-bargy [chiefly British], battle royal, bicker, brawl, argument, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle

Related Words

clash, run-in, skirmish, tangle, tussle; logomachy; feud, vendetta; attack, contention, dissension (also dissention); debate, difference, disputation; fuss, objection, protest, protestation; affray [chiefly British], fisticuffs, fracas, fray, free-for-all, melee (also mêlée); catfight

Rhymes with CONTRETEMPS

accouchement, aide-de-camp, au courant, battement, bien-pensant, ci-devant, debridement, denouement, en passant, fainéant, insouciant, Maupassant, Orléans, Perpignan, rapprochement, revenant, se tenant, soi-disant, vol-au-vent