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contretemps

noun

ˈkän-trə-ˌtäⁿ How to pronounce contretemps (audio)
Definition of contretempsnext
as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions there was a bit of a contretemps over the seating arrangements for the upcoming wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contretemps Moore’s personal biography – despite these minor contretemps – proved more than compelling enough for Maryland voters. — Peniel E. Joseph, CNN, 9 Nov. 2022 To outsiders, the summer’s weeks-long contretemps over the prime minister’s after-hours activities might seem like a tempest in a Nordic teapot. — Michael Hunt, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 The Dallas visit avoided the contretemps of the Washington portion of the trip. — Dallas News, 2 June 2022 The normally dignified sport had a brief contretemps at the time of the opening game this year. — New York Times, 1 Dec. 2021 See All Example Sentences for contretemps
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contretemps
  1. quarrel
  2. altercation
  3. dispute
  4. controversy
  5. disagreement
  6. argument
  7. fight
  8. imbroglio
Noun
  • Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Prosecutors told a judge on Saturday that the encounter that led to a man being pushed to his death from a moving CTA Red Line train earlier this month began with a quarrel that escalated when the victim spat on two people.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • The fatal incident began as a verbal altercation that ensued between Bickham and the group of four people, according to prosecutors.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • There was an alleged altercation between Dycus and a player’s parent in the locker room following Monday night’s 42-8 loss to New Smyrna Beach.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of altercation
Noun
  • OpenAI finished the job less than a day later—timing that has led to a heated dispute between the latter two mathematicians and the company.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The dispute dates to March, when the government of then-President Rodrigo Chaves Robles closed Costa Rica’s embassy in Havana and gave Cuban diplomats until the end of the month to leave.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • The Drivecast is The Drive‘s weekly podcast that takes you behind the scenes on the big stories, controversies, and characters shaping the automotive industry and the way our roads look today.
    — Kyle Cheromcha, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026
  • That same year, MOCA canceled its annual gala amid controversy over a lack of diversity among former gala honorees — all straight white men.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • The organization believes some of these conversations and disagreements among board members are drawing time and attention away from students, many of whom are Hispanic and come from Spanish-speaking backgrounds.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The disagreement came as Zambia was seeking to attract more investment into its copper and other critical-minerals industries while maintaining longstanding economic ties with China and developing closer commercial relations with the US.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of disagreement
Noun
  • According to Faxon, the next step in the claim proceedings will continue to center around the argument made by the Attorney General’s Office.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • But unlike the black hole argument, AdS/CFT is essentially a mathematical fact about gravity and quantum mechanics with no alternative interpretation.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • But now there’s the lingering unknown amid a fight that can feel endless.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Both have a great shot at capturing the title and unique skills to set this up as perhaps the best fight of the night.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • At the heart of this imbroglio unfolds a gallery of colorful characters, all revolving around an ultra-charismatic art dealer.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Others, like the Charlie's Angels set imbroglio, stemmed from personality clashes and behind-the-scenes behavior.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
Definition of imbroglio

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Contretemps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contretemps. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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