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contention

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of contention

1 an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate

  • my contention is that todayʼs lower batting averages are the result of better pitching
Synonyms of contention

argument, assertion, thesis
Words Related to contention

conjecture, guess, hunch, hypothesis, speculation, surmise, theory

proposal, proposition

assumption, presupposition, supposition

position, stand

case, explanation, rationale, reason

2 an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another

  • several actresses seem to be in heated contention for the title of "worst dressed"
Synonyms of contention

ball game, battle, combat, competition, conflict, confrontation, contest, dogfight, duel, face-off, grapple, match, rivalry, strife, struggle, sweepstakes (also sweep-stake), tug-of-war, war, warfare
Words Related to contention

horse race, nail-biter

showdown

clash, collision, discord, friction

argument, controversy, debate, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension (also dissention), quarrel, row, wrangle
Near Antonyms of contention

concord, harmony, peace

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

Learn More about contention

  1. See words that rhyme with contention Dictionary: Definition of contention Spanish Central: Translation of contention Nglish: Translation of contention for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of contention for Arabic speakers

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