contention

noun con·ten·tion \ kən-ˈten(t)-shən \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: contention in a Sentence

Definition of contention

1 : a point advanced or maintained in a debate or argument

It is his contention that allowing a casino to be built would not be in the best interests of the city.

2 : an act or instance of contending

He has taken himself out of contention for the directorship.

3 : rivalry, competition

See contention defined for English-language learners

See contention defined for kids

Examples of contention in a Sentence

Tiger Woods splashed his way into contention in the New Zealand Open … shooting a four under par to close within six strokes of the lead. —New York Times, 13 Jan. 2002
The issues behind the protest are the usual bones of collective-bargaining contention: pay increases, vacation time, union membership. —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 17 & 24 June 2002
Science, and academic scholarship in general, the contention these days goes, is too subjective. Some even allege it's entirely subjective, as is, they say, history. —Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World, 1996
All quotes from QDB.
That has been a source of contention for years.
He is in contention for the Olympic medal.

Recent Examples of contention from the Web

The back-to-back champion Golden State Warriors loom largest, with the Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder expected to be in contention as well.

— sam amick, USA TODAY, "Showtime: LeBron James' business, basketball worlds collide in Los Angeles," 2 July 2018
The selection process will be led by executive search firm Korn Ferry, which will review candidates with the help of a sub-committee of board members (excluding any board members who are in contention).

— melinda newman, Billboard, "Who Should Take Over The Recording Academy? Industry Weighs In," 29 June 2018
If the Ravens are in contention all year—like the Chiefs were last year after drafting Patrick Mahomes—Jackson almost certainly won’t crack the lineup.

— albert breer, SI.com, "The Kirk Cousins Effect," 28 June 2018
Then came a 3-under 67 on Saturday to keep him in contention.

— shawn mcfarland, courant.com, "Bubba Watson Comes From Behind In Final Round To Win Third Travelers Championship," 24 June 2018
One game and two players will join the entire Astros' 2017 team in contention for numerous ESPY Awards next month.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros nominated for several ESPY Awards," 20 June 2018
Cabrera was the game's best hitter heading into those negotiations, and his presence had kept Ilitch's beloved Tigers in contention.

— shawn windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers paying Miguel Cabrera because of Mike Ilitch's sentiment," 17 June 2018
Justin Rose had a chance to do it this year and put himself in contention through the first three rounds.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "U.S. Open: It's been 55 years and counting since Colonial winner won," 17 June 2018
Another player still right in contention was Massachusets firefighter Matt Parziale, who qualified by winning the US Mid-Amateur title last year.

— rob hodgetts, CNN, "US Open: Savage Shinnecock Hills humbles golf stars," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contention.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of contention

Middle English contencioun, from Anglo-French cuntenciun, from Latin contention-, contentio, from contendere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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contention Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of contention

discord, strife, conflict, contention, dissension, variance mean a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony. discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

- a political party long racked by discord

strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

- during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

- the conflict of freedom and responsibility

contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

- several points of contention about the new zoning law

dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

- religious dissension threatened to split the colony

variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

- cultural variances that work against a national identity

CONTENTION Defined for English Language Learners

contention

noun

Definition of contention for English Language Learners

: something (such as a belief, opinion, or idea) that is argued or stated
: anger and disagreement
: a situation in which you have a chance to win something that you are trying to win