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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of contentious
Recently, after a contentious battle between this movie and Marianna Brennand’s Manas, Filho’s film was chosen to represent returning champion Brazil in the Best International Feature Oscar race.
—
Morgan Baila, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
Board member Andy Daniels said one of the problems in society today is the lack of civil discourse, acknowledging the board has had contentious and personal debates in recent years.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Sep. 2025
Ne-Yo had a message for anyone willing to try this stunt at future shows, warning fans in a repost of the contentious moment to his Instagram Story.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2025
Residency had long been a contentious topic in Loving County.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Morgan Baila, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
Board member Andy Daniels said one of the problems in society today is the lack of civil discourse, acknowledging the board has had contentious and personal debates in recent years.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Sep. 2025
Ne-Yo had a message for anyone willing to try this stunt at future shows, warning fans in a repost of the contentious moment to his Instagram Story.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2025
Residency had long been a contentious topic in Loving County.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
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Sell assets for picks and cap space and attack an aggressive rebuild this offseason.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Control an aggressive infestation with a preemergent herbicide applied in late summer before chickweed seeds germinate.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Daniels also said the bill could conflict with the higher education overhaul, Senate Bill 1, which prohibits universities from taking a position on controversial beliefs or policies.—
Jessie Balmert,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
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But residents are demanding reassurance that the land won’t be used for controversial projects dividing other communities, such as data centers.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As such, the political and militant body – which has governed the territory since June 2007 – will need to be in a desperate situation to accept the terms.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
30 Sep. 2025
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Trump’s peace plan has backed Hamas into a corner, leaving the militant group to face an existential dilemma.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tampa is heading into a hostile environment against a feisty Seattle Seahawks team that matches them with a 3-1 record.—
Josh Buckhalter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Republicans, traditionally seen as more hostile to government, are often viewed as the shutdown aggressors.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In August, Kelley was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors — one for electronic communications harassment and two for electronic disclosure of personal identifying information — following days of apparent confrontational social media posts allegedly doxxing her friends and family members.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
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The equanimity in Wear’s presentation was a stark contrast to Charlie Kirk’s confrontational style.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But with a combative Trump questioning the very purpose of the UN at his speech before the General Assembly, Beijing has an international audience that may be more receptive to its overtures.—
JEFFREY PRESCOTT,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Sep. 2025
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Neither can throw, and Colelman, who is eager and combative, handles outside curveballs like a man fighting bees.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, such symptoms are hard to attribute to vaccines because infants can be irritable or fussy regardless of vaccination.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
19 Sep. 2025
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When the caffeine wears off, children may have a headache and feel irritable or tired.—
Dr. Mark Corkins,
Boston Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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