contentious
adjective
con·ten·tious
kən-ˈten(t)-shəs 
1
: likely to cause disagreement or argument
a contentious issue
2
: exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes
a man of a most contentious nature
contentiously
adverb
contentiousness
noun
Examples of contentious in a Sentence
In the perpetual skirmish between science and religion, biological evolution is a contentious battle ground.
—
Barry A. Palevitz, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 1999
Creator Jim Davis had spent two years fine-tuning the contentious relationship between the grouchy cat, his milquetoast owner, Jon (Davis' pen-and-ink alter ego), and befuddled dog Odie—in a strip he'd thought would be called Jon.
—Beth Johnson, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 1998
Historians, admittedly a contentious lot, have failed even to agree on what to call King Philip's War.
—Jill Lepore, The Name of War, 1998
My mental attitude when drinking is both contentious and malicious, and while in this mood and state I was the author of statements which I know to be wholly unfounded.
—Theodore Dreiser, The Titan, 1914
After a contentious debate, members of the committee finally voted to approve the funding.
The dispute involves one of the region's most contentious leaders.
Barry A. Palevitz, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 1999
Creator Jim Davis had spent two years fine-tuning the contentious relationship between the grouchy cat, his milquetoast owner, Jon (Davis' pen-and-ink alter ego), and befuddled dog Odie—in a strip he'd thought would be called Jon.
—Beth Johnson, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 1998
Historians, admittedly a contentious lot, have failed even to agree on what to call King Philip's War.
—Jill Lepore, The Name of War, 1998
My mental attitude when drinking is both contentious and malicious, and while in this mood and state I was the author of statements which I know to be wholly unfounded.
—Theodore Dreiser, The Titan, 1914
After a contentious debate, members of the committee finally voted to approve the funding.
The dispute involves one of the region's most contentious leaders.
Recent Examples on the Web
This is a flawed sin; trying to make something happen in a contentious area with a bunch of people who had their own history.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Last week, America welcomed the first group of South African Afrikaans refugees to the country, a move which has proved contentious.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
On contentious problems like TikTok’s status in America, Trump has already bucked political orthodoxy, delaying a ban repeatedly to convince China to allow its sale.
—J. Tedford Tyler, Time, 17 May 2025
The appointment of Johnson came at the end of a contentious and at times emotional process that critics argued lacked transparency and was tainted by political influence.
—Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
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Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Last week, America welcomed the first group of South African Afrikaans refugees to the country, a move which has proved contentious.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
On contentious problems like TikTok’s status in America, Trump has already bucked political orthodoxy, delaying a ban repeatedly to convince China to allow its sale.
—J. Tedford Tyler, Time, 17 May 2025
The appointment of Johnson came at the end of a contentious and at times emotional process that critics argued lacked transparency and was tainted by political influence.
—Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contentious. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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