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
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
And yet, Goldman finds himself in the midst of what has turned into an ugly, contentious battle for his political life.
—
Paxton Honerkamp,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
The debate about the order, which is expected to affect around 95,000 California employees, has remained contentious.
—
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
After ’95 Nebraska is when Stew’s list gets contentious.
—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving modes have been contentious features in some Tesla vehicles since their debut.
—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Paxton Honerkamp,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
The debate about the order, which is expected to affect around 95,000 California employees, has remained contentious.
—
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
After ’95 Nebraska is when Stew’s list gets contentious.
—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving modes have been contentious features in some Tesla vehicles since their debut.
—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
-
Grey-zone tactics refer to a range of aggressive tactics that vary from navy ship patrols to drone flights, but fall short of direct combat.
-
That will be decided in the coming hours, as the Heat remains in aggressive pursuit of a trade for Antetokounmpo.
Adjective
-
New signs are emerging that the controversial Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the Florida Everglades may soon shut down, despite conflicting messages from state officials in recent weeks.
-
The trial was one of the most anticipated in recent years due to Pino’s prominence in South Florida and because the investigation was controversial from the start.
Adjective
-
Some organizers say America's complicated and at times difficult history is being glossed over by fireworks and flag-waving ‒ or that it's being politicized by an administration that has actively worked to advance its version of history.
-
The move gives Marte another chance to work his way back to the major leagues after a difficult stretch that included a brief stop with the Cincinnati Reds organization earlier this year before a cut.
Adjective
-
The interim deal is meant to stop fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon where Israeli forces are battling the militant Hezbollah group.
-
Despite an October ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas, the enclave has seen near-daily Israeli attacks that have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Adjective
-
In her account, Richmond indeed emerges as its progenitor—through his theorizing, his behind-the-scenes parliamentary and polemical maneuvering, and his patronage of Thomas Paine.
-
The slapstick titles—Crackned Horsez, To of Them, Ape Island, all 1972—further stymied any straightforwardly polemical takeaway.
Adjective
-
The complaint alleges that school officials at Southern Hills Middle School failed to stop two years of antisemitic harassment against an eighth grader even after investigations concluded the student faced a hostile environment.
-
Create an internal incident map and begin tagging hostile actions according to the DISARM taxonomy.
Adjective
-
But from coast to coast, confrontational progressives are advancing in mayoral races.
-
But from coast to coast, confrontational progressives are advancing in mayoral races.
Adjective
-
Beliefs bump against reality as the emotional Moon activates your 9th House of Learning, quincunx combative Mars in your 4th House of Home.
-
The responding officer recognized Poirier from his professional fighting career and requested backup because of what the report described as his combative behavior.
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
