contention

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

|Updated on: 10 Jun 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

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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

One of the points of contention about the changes is how the city should handle issuing permits to residents who desire to have live music at parties or other gatherings.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora looking at changes to noise ordinance, may require permit for bands in residential areas," 6 June 2018
Facebook messages support that contention, prosecutors say.

— zaz hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Trial delayed for second teen charged in Grunwald slaying," 5 June 2018
Andrew Napolitano challenged the president's contention (ph) that the Obama administration deliberately spied on his campaign after GOP congressman Trey Gowdy told Martha MacCallum the FBI acted properly.

— Fox News, "Roseanne critics target Trump," 4 June 2018
After seven races, the team is only slightly better than it's been the past few years but remain nowhere near contention for race wins or podiums.

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: McLaren seems destined to be part of IndyCar's future — one way or another," 4 June 2018
Another point of contention a new program with comedian Michelle Wolf, who famously raised the hackles of conservatives at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April.

— refinery29.com, "Not All Republicans Are Boycotting Netflix Over Obama — & The Numbers Show It," 2 June 2018
Mbemba has been cut somewhat adrift of first team contention under Benitez, having featured just nine times during Newcastle’s return campaign in the Premier League.

— SI.com, "Newcastle Interested in Swoop for Italian Defender to Replace Chancel Mbemba at St James' Park," 1 June 2018
That’s a contention that is hotly disputed by the green power producers, oil and gas companies and the regulators who oversee many of the nation’s power systems — which have been rapidly shifting to cleaner sources of electricity.

— james rainey /, NBC News, "Trump energy plan would prop up failing coal and nuclear plants," 1 June 2018
In any case, the contention that many of us are wasting much of our time at work is hardly a new one.

— The Economist, "Are you stuck in a “bullshit job”?," 31 May 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

See Words from the same year

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