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
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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
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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
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
his natural tendency towards contentiousness made him a poor choice for a diplomatic post
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
-
The tree has aggressive roots that can upend lawn turf and crack pavement.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
-
But the company’s aggressive marketing triggered backlash.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
The new body will deal with the crime of aggression, specifically regarding the use of armed force by one state against another.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
-
Omar Havana/Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has formally approved the creation of a special international tribunal to prosecute senior Russian officials for the crime of aggression tied to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Islamic State militant group (ISIS) operates both east and west of Iran and has also stepped up operations within the Islamic Republic itself, having claimed the deadliest operation in the nation's post-revolutionary history in January 2024.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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
-
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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By contrast, the U.S. had appeared openly skeptical and was often even seen as hostile.—
Ozan Ozerk,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Fu also singled out Israel and called for efforts to bring an end to the hostilities.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
-
The News Gulf nations expressed concern about US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, but largely sidestepped blaming Washington for the strikes.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 3 Jul. 2025.
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