1
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
the Tartars were a contentious people who terrorized much of Asia and eastern Europe during the Middle Ages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversial
given to arguing
a tiresomely contentious person who likes to argue for the sake of arguing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in difficult
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
gun control is likely to be a contentious subject in any group discussion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contentious
The contentious decision comes a year after commissioners voted to freeze property tax revenues in an effort to quell residents’ concerns about rising bills and of losing their homes when basic living expenses are increasingly expensive.
—
Sofi Zeman
july 11, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
One of the style’s most contentious points among purists is its pearlescent finish, which has shifted to varying shades over the shoe’s many reissues.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Though Republicans are expected to retain their majority in the upper chamber, the seat can be a strong asset for both parties, particularly concerning contentious legislation that needs to bypass a 60-vote filibuster.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2025
Hearing From The Other Side Like most important aspects of life, there are two sides to this contentious coin.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Sofi Zeman
july 11, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
One of the style’s most contentious points among purists is its pearlescent finish, which has shifted to varying shades over the shoe’s many reissues.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Though Republicans are expected to retain their majority in the upper chamber, the seat can be a strong asset for both parties, particularly concerning contentious legislation that needs to bypass a 60-vote filibuster.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2025
Hearing From The Other Side Like most important aspects of life, there are two sides to this contentious coin.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
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With that in mind, it's expected the Dodgers will be very aggressive at the trade deadline.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
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And signs have emerged that the White House may be misreading Trump’s election mandate and the political moment, with new polls showing public sentiment turning nationwide on the president’s increasingly aggressive enforcement tactics.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Paxton, the controversial state attorney general who survived an impeachment trial last year, is running against long-serving Senator John Cornyn.—
Karlyn Bowman,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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The drop follows a wave of controversial policy moves, including the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill and expanded tariffs on Canadian imports.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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Buhari vowed to do more to fight militant groups and fix the economy as the demonstrations turned deadly and continued to simmer for the remainder of his presidency.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
13 July 2025
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Settler violence in the West Bank has risen since the start of Israel's war against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza in late 2023, according to rights groups.—
Ali Sawafta,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Forced to work in a more hostile environment than.when it was first established in 2019, the mission faces limited options for evacuations due to the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights, and mobility, because of gangs’ ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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From retail shops to corner bodegas and independent grocery stores, the past few years have not only forced small business owners to confront staggering economic challenges, but also a needlessly hostile regulatory environment brought on by out-of-touch policymakers.—
Tosha Miller,
New York Daily News,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Israel and Greece would also try to stymie a pan-Turkic outflow of funds and power thrusting a combative Erdogan into their zones of influence.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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Although many will agree with Nandy’s position, her combative stance has raised eyebrows among fellow lawmakers, BBC insiders, and industry observers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Determined to make a clean SPF, Brown says a chemical formula was out of the question (chemical sunscreens are often thought to be unsafe for the coral reef and irritable to sensitive skin types).—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
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In my own experience, poor sleep has frequently been the reason behind feeling tired and irritable.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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