Synonym Chooser

How does the noun contention contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of contention are conflict, discord, dissension, strife, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When would conflict be a good substitute for contention?

The synonyms conflict and contention are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Where would discord be a reasonable alternative to contention?

In some situations, the words discord and contention are roughly equivalent. However, discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When can dissension be used instead of contention?

While in some cases nearly identical to contention, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When is it sensible to use strife instead of contention?

The words strife and contention can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When might variance be a better fit than contention?

The meanings of variance and contention largely overlap; however, 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

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 contention The loser of this game will be eliminated from playoff contention. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025 The loser of Wednesday’s Heat-Bulls play-in game is eliminated from playoff contention. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025 Atlanta Falcons One potential option could be the Falcons, who are looking to make a move back into playoff contention. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025 Former head coaches Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets and Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies were dismissed in the past two weeks, despite having led their teams to playoff contention. Mark Lasota, Ph.d., Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contention
Noun
  • Some of the key arguments in recent weeks have been handled by lawyers newly hired into political, rather than career, positions.
    Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
  • Anne and Ginny’s is the sort of dynamic jagged and fluid enough to build a series around — just not this series, which, to its detriment, seems far more interested in watching Kate and Jack and Danny and Claude rehash the same old arguments with each other.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Orlando City and Atlanta United will meet on Saturday in a fierce rivalry MLS matchup, a game soccer fans in the U.S. won't want to miss.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Her Wings jersey is already generating significant sales, suggesting the potential for an ongoing rivalry with Clark not just on the court but in the merchandise marketplace as well.
    Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Yet the President himself stokes fears of a slippery slope to strongman rule with his blanket assertions of power, his disregard for democratic guardrails, and his talk of running for a third term, despite the 22nd Amendment’s prohibition.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Green’s teammate, Moses Moody, gave a sarcastic response to Brooks’ assertion.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This year, there's little other competition for NFL-ready quarterbacks.
    Becky Sullivan, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Most importantly, this competition is not ideological.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • My central hypothesis is that true AGI can only be achieved when AI learns continuously, flexibly adapting its understanding in real time rather than relying solely on large-scale, one-time training sessions.
    Yusuf Sar, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In one chapter, Pember explores epigenetic research into trauma, the hypothesis that trauma responses might be inherited even without changes in the DNA sequence.
    Charles Arrowsmith, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lorna Romero Ferguson, a Republican political strategist based in Arizona, told the Washington Examiner that both parties are still going to have to battle over redistricting efforts and keep extremist candidates from the ballot box to stay competitive after the 2030 census.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
  • In short, Saturday's clash will bring to a head a battle between two families, two fighters caught in a war started by their fathers, and Eubank won't even have his by his side as they are still estranged.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Tower is not always an omen of hardship and struggle.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
  • Since then Hutchinson has maintained that the murders were committed by two home invaders and that the family was killed in a struggle.
    James Powel, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The pope's Easter message included a call for an end to conflicts in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
    Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • There are volunteer opportunities, a teen club, and during the current conflict, the Hesed has become a hub for delivering tons of humanitarian aid, trauma care, and kinship.
    Maria Zimina, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contention. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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