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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of contentious
Historical precedents, including Wilson’s own contentious governorship, suggest that not all politicians thrive in executive roles.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
The cap, which the City Council approved 5-4 after a long and contentious public hearing, attempts to close a loophole in the city’s backyard apartment incentive — the most aggressive of its kind in California.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
The justices still have a handful of cases remaining before breaking for their summer recess, many of which will indeed be contentious and include vigorous dissents.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025
The contentious professional relationship between billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has seemingly come to an end.
—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
The cap, which the City Council approved 5-4 after a long and contentious public hearing, attempts to close a loophole in the city’s backyard apartment incentive — the most aggressive of its kind in California.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
The justices still have a handful of cases remaining before breaking for their summer recess, many of which will indeed be contentious and include vigorous dissents.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025
The contentious professional relationship between billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has seemingly come to an end.
—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
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But even in Alberta, a province that has favored development, the legacy policies are still likely not aggressive enough to meet the moment.—
Mark Le Dain,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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Most recently the administration asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for downsizing the federal workforce despite multiple court rulings that congressional approval is needed to make such aggressive reductions.—
Ragan Whitlock,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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The other shoe dropped with an unsettling thud recently when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt openly gay-bashed in defense of her controversial boss.—
Louis Balsamo,
Baltimore Sun,
25 June 2025
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In 2020, the Encinitas City Council approved the construction of a new Sanderling Waldorf school on a controversial spot on Mays Hollow Lane near Quail Gardens Drive.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Iraq: Iran, which shares a nearly 1,000-mile border with Iraq, has ties to Iraqi militant groups including Kataib Hezbollah, the Badr Organization, and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
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Bondi also shared that over 1,000 Iranian nationals have entered the country illegally in recent years and said law enforcement agencies are actively investigating them for possible ties to foreign militant groups.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Syria has turned from a fertile ground to a hostile one for Iran and its assets, after the Assad regime was toppled in December.—
Lina Khatib,
Time,
19 June 2025
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Republican leaders there have long seen many local school boards as hostile to potential charter school operators, resulting in a steady push to find ways for operators to apply to the state.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Johnson told me that many of his patients are now skeptical of his advice, if not openly combative.—
Benjamin Mazer,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2025
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Opening the doors for real, meaningful interactions will be essential for both sides to gain a clearer and more complete understanding of one another, ensuring a less combative future.—
Zichen Wang,
semafor.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Her tone is free-associative, irritable and rat-a-tat.—
Alexandra Jacobs,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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When an owner is distracted or irritable from work stress, the dog notices.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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