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
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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 legislators' letter follows a contentious city council meeting about policing strategies and amid ongoing tension between the city and the police union over contract negotiations.
—
Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The topic of banning phones at gigs has been a contentious one over the years, with artists wishing for fans to live in the moment, and fans desiring a chance to memorialize their concert experiences.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
The move further reduces Musk’s impact on the administration several months after his contentious departure.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2025
Although sometimes contentious, his most recent appearance lacked the acrimony from lawmakers who had accused the director and the lottery's oversight board of misleading the Legislature about the courier companies.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The topic of banning phones at gigs has been a contentious one over the years, with artists wishing for fans to live in the moment, and fans desiring a chance to memorialize their concert experiences.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
The move further reduces Musk’s impact on the administration several months after his contentious departure.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2025
Although sometimes contentious, his most recent appearance lacked the acrimony from lawmakers who had accused the director and the lottery's oversight board of misleading the Legislature about the courier companies.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
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Potential Fed chair David Zervos backs an aggressive rate cut.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Poor oral hygiene allows plaque bacteria to produce acids that contribute to decay, while aggressive brushing can physically wear away the enamel surface.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Long was considered an unusual (and controversial—keep reading) choice for the position.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The stars of the TV series have similarly received backlash for their involvement in the expansion of Rowling's franchise because of the author's controversial politics.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While some agree with early views of student protestors that Israel is carrying out a campaign of cruelty and ethnic cleansing in Gaza, others insist Hamas, the militant group in control of the region, which attacked Israel on Oct. 7, sparking the war, is solely responsible for the suffering.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
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Videos released by the militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad last week showed hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski in a visibly fragile state – images that galvanized a forceful reaction both at home and abroad.—
Dana Karni,
CNN Money,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In recent weeks, both have also moved military forces to the border near Assab and are engaging in escalating exchanges of hostile rhetoric.—
Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile, Trump has moved closer to Pakistan, with which India has hostile relations and the U.S. has historically had a complex and sometimes tense relationship, especially as Pakistan has grown closer to and is primarily armed by China.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Of course, the increasingly partisan, combative, and at times, chaotic atmosphere had infiltrated the modern Congress before Johnson or his Senate counterpart, Majority Leader John Thune, took the gavel.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
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Instead, the parties have yet to even reach an agreement for the contract that expired in 2022, and the union is taking a more publicly combative tone ahead of arbitration.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Not surprisingly, then, these films are usually littered with bums and losers — people who really should have moved on with their lives — possessing irritable personalities, cynical worldviews, or hilarious delusions of grandeur.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
25 July 2025
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People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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