point of contention
noun phrase
: the thing that people are arguing over
The main point of contention is who owns the timber rights to the land.
Examples of point of contention in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Apple has also long argued that iMessage’s security features are a bar to interoperability, another point of contention with the DOJ.
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Tom Simonite, WIRED, 22 Mar. 2024
The key is to develop a mutual understanding and strategy that respects both of your comfort levels and financial goals to ensure that debt doesn’t become a point of contention in your relationship.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
McDaniel’s salary was a point of contention among NBC staff as well—the NBC News Guild union criticized the network for the salary amount in light of recent cuts in the newsroom.
—James Farrell, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
As fans know, Jimmy's close friendship with his female friends was a point of contention between the former couple and was ultimately what brought Jimmy to his breaking point after Chelsea exposed his secret hookup with his friend in front of cameras.
—Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
The Chinese spy balloon became a major diplomatic point of contention between the U.S. and China, prompting Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a trip to Beijing in February 2023.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2024
Perjury Cohen’s testimony in the New York Attorney General’s case became a point of contention during that trial after Trump accused him of lying under oath.
—Erik Larson, Bloomberg.com, 15 Feb. 2024
How much time kids spend on phones is a main point of contention.
—Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024
Muslim access to the mosque has long been a point of contention as Israel has exerted tighter control in recent years over the compound, one of many restrictions Palestinians living under decades of Israeli occupation have had to endure.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024
Tom Simonite, WIRED, 22 Mar. 2024
The key is to develop a mutual understanding and strategy that respects both of your comfort levels and financial goals to ensure that debt doesn’t become a point of contention in your relationship.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
McDaniel’s salary was a point of contention among NBC staff as well—the NBC News Guild union criticized the network for the salary amount in light of recent cuts in the newsroom.
—James Farrell, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
As fans know, Jimmy's close friendship with his female friends was a point of contention between the former couple and was ultimately what brought Jimmy to his breaking point after Chelsea exposed his secret hookup with his friend in front of cameras.
—Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
The Chinese spy balloon became a major diplomatic point of contention between the U.S. and China, prompting Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a trip to Beijing in February 2023.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2024
Perjury Cohen’s testimony in the New York Attorney General’s case became a point of contention during that trial after Trump accused him of lying under oath.
—Erik Larson, Bloomberg.com, 15 Feb. 2024
How much time kids spend on phones is a main point of contention.
—Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024
Muslim access to the mosque has long been a point of contention as Israel has exerted tighter control in recent years over the compound, one of many restrictions Palestinians living under decades of Israeli occupation have had to endure.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'point of contention.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near point of contention
Cite this Entry
“Point of contention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20of%20contention. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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