contentiousness

noun

Definition of contentiousnessnext
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel his natural tendency towards contentiousness made him a poor choice for a diplomatic post

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 contentiousness Despite their contentiousness, the candidates agreed on most major policy issues. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 Then there is the lifelong contentiousness with her mother, Marluce Martins Perry, a talented Brazilian artist who reluctantly traded her gifts and status for matrimony and child-rearing and resented her family in the wake of her decision. — A.d. Amorosi, SPIN, 4 May 2026 The theme of the contentiousness was that the Bengals didn’t have interest in offering any long-term guarantees that were a priority to the 31-year-old. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 Reinecke attributed some of the contentiousness to a conflict between economic development and historic preservation. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentiousness
  1. aggression
  2. aggressiveness
  3. hostility
  4. combativeness
Noun
  • Instead, that generation’s gesture seems to be stymied or to miss its target and end in bitterness—which is precisely what gives these artists’ work at its best a poignancy on the other side of its aggression and humor.
    — Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Volatile, headstrong, and brimming with wild-eyed passive-aggression, the actor’s performance heightens the wall situation from a neighborly dispute to the stuff of a biblical trial.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • Badosa’s front-foot aggressiveness and ability to rush Gauff’s forehand have brought her wins in their past two meetings.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The salaries match, Strus is an expiring contract while Niko has four years left and the 3-point shooting and the aggressiveness of Max are way better than Niko’s.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • Those moves come amid higher oil prices, with Brent crude futures hovering around $99 a barrel Tuesday amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East.
    — Sarah Min,Hugh Leask, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Goldman's base case Goldman's forecast is based on an increase in hostilities in the Middle East.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Transport second Warning signs of heat stroke include dizziness, headache, nausea, severe fatigue, and can include confusion, combativeness or potential loss of consciousness, Casa says.
    — Scott Neuman, NPR, 29 July 2026
  • But there is a far more important influence Dobeš can have on this series than his combativeness, and that is his puckhandling.
    — Sean Gentille, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Definition of combativeness

Browse Nearby Words

contentious
contentiousness
contentment
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Cite this Entry

“Contentiousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentiousness. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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