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
-
Ultimately, a lack of Democratic support for weakening the filibuster prevented them from passing that legislation, but Republicans were also vehemently opposed and leaned on arguments about protecting states’ rights.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
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During opening arguments, Mark Lanier presented the jury internal company documents from Meta and YouTube that showed tech executives knew of and discussed the negative effects of their products on children.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While community surveys showed support for the merger, some students expressed concern over losing traditions and rivalries.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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The island’s legislature is considering a record defense outlay, but domestic political rivalries threaten to derail that effort.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Scientifically, though, there’s nothing true about these assertions at all.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Testimony by Termini and Miles is intended to directly rebut DraftKings’ assertions and to help convince Judge Pratt that DraftKings’ use of NCAA trademarks is atypical, unauthorized and warranting of a TRO.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After years of legal battles, dozens of Huntington Beach neighbors lost their backyards so sanitation crews could access an aging pipeline.—
Lesley Marin,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell — who has been entangled in multiple legal battles regarding trespassers targeting his private beachfront property in Florida over the past year — continues to receive disturbing threats from other members of the community against him and his family.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other active hypotheses that remain in play include that Gracey could have been drugged, taken drugs himself or ingested a large enough amount of alcohol to disorient himself.—
Michael Ruiz , Solly Boussidan,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The company, which just raised $14 million in seed funding from General Catalyst, Toyota Ventures, and Perplexity Fund, is among a growing number of self-driving labs that are drawing investor attention for their ability to use technologies that reason on new hypotheses.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Both trials — one in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the other in Los Angeles — pointed to the struggles Meta has faced to adequately police Facebook and Instagram, which remain the company's primary cash engines due to their dominant position in digital advertising.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
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The Trueba family’s passions, struggles, and secrets span a century of violent social change, culminating in a crisis that hurls the proud, tyrannical patriarch and his beloved granddaughter towards opposite sides of the fence.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Closed schools across the Gulf are a reminder that when conflicts escalate, children are the first to pay the price, the UN’s secretary general told the Security Council earlier this month, Arab News reported.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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Consequences from geopolitical tensions and conflicts abroad aren't limited to just overseas.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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With drum circles, ransacked guest rooms and theatrical confrontations staged across sandy paths and candlelit dinners, guests become active participants in the drama.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
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The footage does not appear to show any confrontations between police and protesters happening nearby at the time he was hit.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentions. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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