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 policy drivers behind the closures are a point of growing political contention. Californians For Energy Independence, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2025 The blockbuster trade should help Orlando take another step toward true contention in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 16 June 2025 The first player to break the tie was Spaun, the man who appeared to have collapsed and played himself out of contention with a catastrophic front nine. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 June 2025 Perfect Kyrie Irving Replacement Former NBA Lottery Pick Joining Rockets in Surprising Role: Report Jason Kidd Could Leave Mavericks For Sought-After HC Opening: Report Looking ahead to next season, the Lakers will need to make some offseason moves to get back into NBA Finals contention. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for contention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contention
Noun
  • The murder trial was set to begin next month, starting with jury selection on Aug. 4, and opening arguments two weeks later.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 1 July 2025
  • That argument has caught the attention of the Trump administration.
    Daniel Ackerman, NPR, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • The Wolf Pack have fallen behind in the Mountain West in recent years, and are staying in the conference while others head to the Pac-12, so that rivalry flame is dying.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • This is because, despite assertions to the contrary, research, such as Dr Sandra Portocarrero’s work on undocumented entrepreneurs in California, has shown that immigrants contribute positively to the economy.
    London School of Economics, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Those are assertions that will be reexamined as the impact of Saturday’s U.S. bombings becomes clearer. ‘MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN’: Trump, who previously denied wanting to topple Iran’s regime, on Sunday seemed to encourage that idea.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • This sort of multidisciplinary excellence is rare for Olympic competition; athletes are by necessity ultra specialized.
    Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Gregg Newton | Afp | Getty Images Amazon’s second batch of Kuiper internet satellites reached low Earth orbit on Monday, adding to its plans for a massive constellation and ramping up competition with SpaceX’s Starlink.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Oddly enough, a different kind of neutrino, called a tau neutrino, is one hypothesis that some scientists have put forth as the cause of the anomalous signals.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
  • But 63% of respondents rated call spoofing among their top five challenges in outbound voice and the second most common hypothesis as to why existing customers are not answering calls.
    James Garvert, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • After a competitive bidding battle, Amazon MGM Studios has landed the package for a live-action movie revolving around the Bratz doll line with Kim Kardashian and Picturestart on board to produce.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 25 June 2025
  • While the legal battle is ongoing, the judge's ruling is an early win for the states and a setback for the Trump administration.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Even the quiet, eyebrow-raising final moments, which suggest that the struggle for economic justice and equality might be utterly pointless, feel less like a philosophy and more like a real-life capitalist desire for more, more, more.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • The struggle was so real that Reynolds unveiled a special musical production for McElhenney's birthday devoted to teaching fans the pronunciation of his costar's last name, enlisting the help of some of his famous friends as well as members of the club's hometown.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Despite the flare-up, Wedbush technology analyst Dan Ives expects the conflict between Musk and Mr. Trump to die down moving forward.
    Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • During the recent conflict, the Israeli Air Force demonstrated an impressive capability to reach targets deep inside Iran while relying on its aged Boeing 707 tankers for refueling its fighter jets.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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