1
as in arguments
an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate
my contention is that today's lower batting averages are the result of better pitching
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
several actresses seem to be in heated contention for the title of "worst dressed"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contentions
An administration official would make a claim about what happened, and later evidence would find these contentions to be misleading.
—
Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
However, the reality is that peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US and Europe are clearly stalled, if at worse dead with many contentions from both sides surrounding security concerns and, importantly, trade sanctions.
—Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
However, the reality is that peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US and Europe are clearly stalled, if at worse dead with many contentions from both sides surrounding security concerns and, importantly, trade sanctions.
—Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentions
Noun
-
The sheriff made few policy arguments in his third run for office.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
-
During closing arguments last week, prosecutors acknowledged the evidence presented in the case was circumstantial.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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With the renewal secured, viewers can look forward to more high-stakes deals, intense rivalries, complicated relationships that have made the show such a standout.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
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Watch the All Elite Wrestling show with diverse male and female wrestlers and epic rivalries.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Richards and the governor’s office pushed back on false assertions that Newsom and his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, were stealing money from the state through her office that same day.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Democrats urged her to speak on previous assertions that Renee Nicole Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, two Minnesota residents who federal immigration officials shot, were domestic terrorists.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Two surgical operations, costing a total of $400,000, were performed in accordance with the past directive following lengthy legal battles over in-prison access to breast implants, facial feminization surgery, and genital augmentation.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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This style sparked architectural battles in Beverly Hills that at times seemed like a proxy fight over Persian American influence (Platform).—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Police are looking at several hypotheses.—
Omer Bekin,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
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The competing hypotheses, which seek to identify common traits between Little Foot and any of these species, highlight why the fossil continues to be such a rich resource of information that could contain clues to human evolution.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The final season focuses on Claire and Jamie’s struggles during the Revolutionary War, with the war having followed them home.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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The struggles with your in-laws, the struggles with the sister-in-law.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But China has consistently steered clear of direct involvement in its partners’ conflicts, showing little appetite for wading into Middle Eastern security matters beyond protecting its own assets.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, the Pentagon is preparing a supplemental budget request of roughly $50 billion to replenish weapons used in recent conflicts, including operations in the Middle East.—
Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao,Victor Loh,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Try to avoid clashes or direct confrontations with partners, spouses and close friends, as well as members of the general public.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
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At least nine people were killed in confrontations with security forces.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentions. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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