contention

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

|Updated on: 24 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

Another European draft-board riser, Berggren dominated the Swedish junior league and should be in contention to sneak into the end of the first round.

— richard morin, azcentral, "Final NHL mock draft: Major changes in top 10; Coyotes could land Brady Tkachuk," 20 June 2018
The chant has become a source of contention within the Mexican fanbase and the world of soccer.

— julia poe, SI.com, "Chicharito Urges Mexican Fans to Stop Using Homophobic Chant at World Cup," 20 June 2018
How adult-school students are counted is just one issue of contention with recent record graduation rates.

— howard blume, latimes.com, "L.A. school district says more are graduating, but rate may not show it," 20 June 2018
Trump's spokesmen doubled down on the president's false contention that Democrats were to blame.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Trump defiant as crisis grows over family separation at the border," 19 June 2018
Uruguay will stay in contention with a win over Saudi Arabia, who fell to Russia in their opening match.

— CBS News, "2018 World Cup: Schedule, scores and updates for Wednesday's matches," 19 June 2018
In a 7-3 win that extended their winning streak to eight, the Astros battered Montas for 11 hits and seven runs, completing the three-day undressing of a divisional foe with rapidly fading hopes of postseason contention.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros sweep Athletics, extend winning streak to 8," 15 June 2018
Gizmodo also quoted a former FCC security contractor who spoke anonymously and disputed Bray's contention that the 2014 outage was caused by an attack.

— jon brodkin, Ars Technica, "FCC accused of “spreading lies” about DDoS hitting comment system," 6 June 2018
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

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