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 appeals court agreed with the defense arguments.—
NICOLE WINFIELD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
What’s interesting is that both arguments are not ethically based but practical.—
Colleen Kujawa,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The level of vitriol between the two fan bases, particularly online, is absolutely on par with some of the league’s best rivalries.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The 49ers Museum offers a window into the traditions, rivalries, and fan culture that define American football.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The only way to find out if these assertions hold up is to put this tube to the test for yourself.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the concessions, however, are assertions that the administration will abide by statutes already codified in law.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Guests experienced the unexpected pairing of CHEETOS FLAMIN’ HOT and dill pickle through product sampling, custom cocktails, fan-favorite arcade games, karaoke battles, and a high-energy dancefloor soundtracked by Loud Luxury’s signature mashups.—
Billboard Staff,
Billboard,
17 Mar. 2026
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Understandably, some gamers may be skeptical or even alarmed, given the ethical issues and legal battles surrounding generative AI.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Police are looking at several hypotheses.—
Omer Bekin,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
-
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
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Images of marchers protesting the Nigerian civil war and of leaders of anti-colonial struggles blend with early documentation of European women’s-liberation movements.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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After admittedly chasing stats, which led to some early-season struggles, Simmons settled into the defensive end possession and blossomed into one of the SEC’s most prolific sack masters.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Romantasy books blend the best of both the fantasy and romance genres, delivering high-stakes political conflicts, endless action and plot twists, and, of course, swoon-worthy love.—
De Elizabeth,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2026
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Teaching students how to explore connections between characters and conflicts in a novel to people and situations in their own lives makes resorting to chatbots less appealing, if not altogether useless.—
Gayle Rogers,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That strike lasted more than a year and included violent confrontations between police and protesters, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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That strike lasted more than a year and included violent confrontations between police and protesters, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentions. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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