as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
there was a bit of a contretemps over the seating arrangements for the upcoming wedding
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contretemps
Moore’s personal biography – despite these minor contretemps – proved more than compelling enough for Maryland voters.
—
Peniel E. Joseph, CNN, 9 Nov. 2022
To outsiders, the summer’s weeks-long contretemps over the prime minister’s after-hours activities might seem like a tempest in a Nordic teapot.
—Michael Hunt, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022
The Dallas visit avoided the contretemps of the Washington portion of the trip.
—Dallas News, 2 June 2022
The normally dignified sport had a brief contretemps at the time of the opening game this year.
—New York Times, 1 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for contretemps
Peniel E. Joseph, CNN, 9 Nov. 2022
To outsiders, the summer’s weeks-long contretemps over the prime minister’s after-hours activities might seem like a tempest in a Nordic teapot.
—Michael Hunt, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022
The Dallas visit avoided the contretemps of the Washington portion of the trip.
—Dallas News, 2 June 2022
The normally dignified sport had a brief contretemps at the time of the opening game this year.
—New York Times, 1 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for contretemps
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contretemps
Noun
-
The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
10 June 2026
-
Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Martinez had been attending court hearings over a charge of third-degree assault and breach of peace after an altercation with her sister-in-law over a babysitting dispute and was assigned anger management classes, the document states.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
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So far, detectives have found no evidence of a physical altercation or foul play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Noun
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The dispute has opened a new front in a years-long fight over transparency at the shelter, which has faced multiple investigations into overcrowding, animal deaths and a sharp decline in transfers to rescue groups.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
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As bitcoin becomes more involved in private contracts, treasury strategies, cross border settlement and business arrangements, disputes will not always arrive in court as dramatic stories about hacks or scams.—
Susie Violet Ward,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Like all things data center, this one comes with controversy.—
David Wade,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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From a national pie shop victory to a fatal military crash and a baseball controversy reaching the White House, Wednesday delivered a wide range of stories for Sacramento readers.—
Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
The deadlock reflected significant disagreement among jurors over the brothers' motives and the credibility of their abuse claims.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
Ken Griffin In one of the most notable disagreements so far, Mamdani and Griffin became entangled in drama after the mayor announced his new pied‑à‑terre tax proposal aimed at wealthier residents in the city.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The buddy cops’ zesty chemistry goes out on a high as Detective Campbell and Lieutenant Cole bicker next to ambulance at the film’s end.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
5 June 2026
-
As the two team up and prepare to hit the stage — with a cake now decorated with Lili's name — Gary and JoAnne bicker in the audience.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Rejoining will necessitate difficult negotiations over the terms of re-entry and, doubtless, a heated argument at home.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
13 June 2026
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Opponents’ arguments, however, go beyond the $225 million increase to the details of financing.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Most baseball fights produce a little shoving, occasional hugging, some dancing and pulled powderpuff punches.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
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Coming just three days after launch, and after tech leaders and social media influencers showcased Fable’s leap in performance over earlier models, the sudden block has become a larger fight over who decides when an AI system is too powerful for open access.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contretemps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contretemps. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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