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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contentions
The passing of time is the only thing that will reveal the veracity of their contentions and what some of the underlying numbers suggest regarding the quality of their at-bats not being reflected in their production.
—
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
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
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentions
Noun
-
The document filed by the Justice Department in the Los Angeles Superior Court case led by plaintiffs Todd and Kimberley Ferrier — whose Pacific Palisades home burned down — buttresses arguments made by the victims’ attorneys.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Turner had an unexpected friendship with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, bonding over hunting and arguments about politics over rum and cigars.—
David Bauder,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
That’s why the series’ episodes that focus specifically on his rivalries with other climbers, in particular Honnold and Hunt, feel the most enlightening.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
-
The unanimous decision came during a nine-hour-long meeting that included several tense moments arising out of longstanding political rivalries.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Democrats dismissed such assertions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 May 2026
-
But Democrats dismissed such assertions.—
Travis Loller,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To test these hypotheses, a team from Columbia and Harvard decided to see if they could get rid of one of the 20 currently in use.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
-
What is emerging is a picture of an artist of profound mathematical acuity, who mobilized geometric, sequential, and modular forms to test hypotheses on interrelation, regeneration, and evolution in pursuit of mystical revelation.—
Katherine Rochester,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And, perhaps, his mental-health struggles, his mood swings, and the antisocial behaviors that The Dark Wizard recounts and suggests were the cost of — or maybe the reason for — his athletic prowess.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
-
Yet those absences alone cannot explain the breadth of struggles threatening the Astros’ season.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Since one of the metaphorical aspects of the script concerns how swiftly conflicts can flare up from small disagreements into major knock-down-drag-out fights, showing the violence and bared-teeth snarling is appropriate, a lighter touch could work, too.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Determined to rise to the occasion and work out every possible kink, Daisy sets out to resolve conflicts between the stews and in the galley.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The sharp debate in Union Park is only the latest in a series of thorny confrontations about how best to manage homelessness in the Central Florida region, where housing costs are high, shelter space is scarce, and residents are concerned about people living in public spaces.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The massive expansion of enforcement operations drew local resistance from activists, leading to clashes with federal agents and the deaths of residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti during confrontations with ICE and Border Patrol.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentions. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
