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
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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
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
Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentions
Noun
-
Both sides will submit fuller legal arguments and the Department of Homeland Security may be ordered to produce its internal decision record.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Augustine rose quickly, dazzling as a public advocate, trading arguments with Christians and skeptics alike.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This sense of competition has caused countless promotions to create timeless matches and rivalries that have stood the test of time, whether your looking at the Territories Era, the Monday Night Wars between WWE and WCW, or the rivalry between NJPW and AJPW in Japan.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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What was one of the best rivalries in the 1980s and 90s has lost some of its luster more recently, with one or both of the programs being down for much of the last decade.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These assertions are self-evident but fishy.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
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On Monday evening, the FDA released its note to doctors about a possible link between acetaminophen during pregnancy and autism, which was more measured than the president's assertions.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The lawsuit opens a new front in the legal battles the White House is waging against state and local officials, coming just hours after a federal judge blocked a similar deployment of the guard to Portland, Oregon.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
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While Burton has attempted to reboot the series himself, past efforts were stalled by legal battles with Buffalo Toronto Public Media.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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None of those jack-of-all-trades models came up with the hypotheses that proved experimentally correct.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Sep. 2025
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Danish police Chief Superintendent Jens Jespersen told reporters on Tuesday authorities were investigating several hypotheses, including the possibility that the drones were launched from ships.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As Rogers’ rocky form will testify, Villa’s attacking struggles have not been through a lack of service, but rather the profligacy in possession.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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In correspondence that Khan made available to the investigators, his accuser appears to be very warm, prone to disclosure about her personal life and struggles, highly solicitous of Khan and his wife, and perhaps overeager.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Digging in your heels invites trouble as Mercury conflicts Pluto.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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The Third Avenue Project was designed to reduce the violence and open drug use through extensive outreach and the deescalation of conflicts between people on the street.—
Ashley Hiruko,
ProPublica,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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An argument could be made that the show could’ve used more confrontations between them.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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Power meetings, sudden opportunities, or straight-up confrontations with authority figures may pop this week.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentions. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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