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Synonym Chooser

How is the word contentious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of contentious are bellicose, belligerent, pugnacious, and quarrelsome. While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling.

wearied by his contentious disposition

When would bellicose be a good substitute for contentious?

The meanings of bellicose and contentious largely overlap; however, bellicose suggests a disposition to fight.

a drunk in a bellicose mood

When could belligerent be used to replace contentious?

While the synonyms belligerent and contentious are close in meaning, belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities.

belligerent nations

When can pugnacious be used instead of contentious?

In some situations, the words pugnacious and contentious are roughly equivalent. However, pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat.

a pugnacious gangster

In what contexts can quarrelsome take the place of contentious?

The synonyms quarrelsome and contentious are sometimes interchangeable, but quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause.

the heat made us all quarrelsome

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 contentious Strategists have warned that redistricting could ultimately make Congress more partisan and eliminate centrist members, many of whom each party relies on to help find common ground and unite against contentious legislation. Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025 All 12 presidents will need to be reappointed and approved by the board in February, which could become more contentious if the board votes down one or more of the 12 presidents. Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 School districts across the state are grappling with declining enrollment and considering school closures, while also navigating contentious social issues. Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Miami-Dade’s sheriff secured an extra $31 million from the county’s mayor late Thursday, ending one of the biggest battles in an unusually contentious summer budget season. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
  • Mid-summer changes to United’s revolving credit facility indicated a switch in strategy, and there was a more aggressive approach in the market following a summit in Iceland between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The occurrences grew more aggressive over time, with the Smurls' 75-pound German shepherd getting slammed into a wall and Jack getting attacked while praying.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The plaintiffs argued the displacement was motivated by a desire to limit readers' access to books with viewpoints that are unpopular and controversial in the area.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • McLaren made a controversial decision at the Italian Grand Prix, swapping Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's positions at the end of the race.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, after fighters from Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in control of the territory, attacked Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages.
    Stephanie van den Berg, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The military that took over Burkina Faso in a 2022 coup has grown increasingly intolerant of dissent amid worsening Islamist militant violence in the West African country.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump has been hostile to renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, and prioritizes fossil fuels for electricity.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter took it as a hostile act and approached Prescott, meeting face-to-face with him.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The arrest took place after the reality star apparently spent the days prior sharing a series of increasingly confrontational posts to her Instagram, which allegedly doxxed her friends and family members.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • This is the polar opposite of, say, a project designed to be controversial, confrontational and put TIFF on the defensive.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The tone is snarky, combative, and unmistakably modeled on the president's online persona.
    Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
  • More inclusive and less combative.
    Carol RH Malasig, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, Helen is allowed to be irritable and anti-social, chain-smoking and snappish, without the filmmaker casting judgment.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
  • If you are rushed or irritable, say so.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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