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
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While still unconfirmed, we’re told that the film sees Louise, the alcoholic mother of Mike (Hechinger) and Tommy, take off after a quarrel with her husband Lester — walking with her dog to the home of her brother Frank, quite a few miles away.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
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Hip-Hop has equally thrived on legendary quarrels and strong relationships.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Branch is likely going to get a fine for his role in the altercation with a possible suspension coming too.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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The altercation between Branch and Smith-Schuster started a brawl, with multiple players on each team getting into the fight.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Musk later cited the pay dispute as part of the reason why Tesla shifted its corporate home to Texas from Delaware.—
Kara Carlson,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
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Here’s how a community dispute escalated into a deadly tragedy.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Her participation had already sparked controversy due to her past ballroom experience.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
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The bill became a source of controversy in the Golden State, with celebrity chefs among those who rallied against the cookware ban, while environmental and health activists have argued for it.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Emmer acknowledged the disagreements but didn’t dwell on them.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Oct. 2025
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There remain many disagreements in detail but hardly any in essence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The hilarious sketch saw Thompson, Morgan, Fred Armisen, Michaela Watkins, and Kristen Wiig bicker at the Hot Topics table over a collection of political headlines, with Morgan's Shepherd visibly confused by what the words 'Eeyore' and 'research' meant.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
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The Hussein family bickers about which MENA ethnicities are better than others.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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On Tuesday, during the state’s closing argument, Sund said that Uso, then 17, planned the killing after Kline ended their relationship.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
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Because nobody has the attention span sufficient to think through an argument and find common ground.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The doctor finds her and tries to inject her, but Ben comes up from behind, and the two fight.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
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Joe Biden 'optimistic' in cancer fight Former President Joe Biden is now receiving radiation therapy for his prostate cancer, a spokesperson for the former president confirmed to ABC News.—
Molly Nagle,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contretemps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contretemps. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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