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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But by agreeing to disagree on these ideological quarrels, negotiators could manage to find ways to prevent them from triggering unnecessary crises.—
Mohammad Javad Zarif,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Dec. 2025
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Police said the quarrel escalated when a 39-year-old man pulled out a gun and shot the victim twice.—
Natalie McMillan,
CBS News,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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During the altercation, the security guard shot and killed the man, McCabe said.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
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In 2019, Dykstra had drug and terroristic threat charges dropped after an altercation with an Uber driver in New Jersey in 2018.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Opening arguments in a Stanford felony vandalism case began Friday amid sharp disputes over whether political views tied to Israel’s war in Gaza should factor into the trial — an issue that has shaped the case from its earliest stages.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Police had initially said the shooting involved a family dispute but gave no specific details.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The controversy stemmed from an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR filed by Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, which argued the racing organization wasn’t properly sharing its revenue with the teams that compete in the sport’s top company.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on culinary controversies and presidential proclamations.—
,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Democrats gathered for a conference hosted by progressives were sneering at Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who was not present, for shutting down popular new faces based on disagreements over specific issues.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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But DeMatthews did note that there have been disagreements seen in the takeover of Houston ISD among appointees.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Of course, some of those party guests already know each other, like Morgan, Sasha, and Esther, and the latter two bicker beforehand about how to best approach the Morgan-sized elephant in the room.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
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In a lengthy scene in the desert, the camera pans to each character, isolating them or putting them in pairings to argue, bicker, and reveal themselves.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Kathleen Hartnett of Cooley LLP, one of the groups that filed the lawsuit, will present arguments on behalf of Hecox, the American Civil Liberties Union told the Statesman.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Jan. 2026
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The two attorneys made a slew of arguments to defend their position, including that the pair of lawmakers did not have legal standing to bring a suit related to their official duties in the first place.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The impact of losing enhanced premium subsidies The political fight around enhanced subsidies, which were enacted in 2021 under the Biden administration, is playing out during the ACA marketplace's open enrollment, when would-be enrollees are picking their health plans for 2026.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
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The fights are being broadcast on DAZN pay-per-view.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contretemps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contretemps. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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