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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversial
given to arguing
a tiresomely contentious person who likes to argue for the sake of arguing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contentious
Given the timing, data about Wisconsin’s contentious judicial race is less plentiful than what might be on hand, say, during a presidential or midterm election.
—
Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
Callender entered in the 86th minute and did not allow a ball to get past him as Inter Miami successfully held off Philadelphia despite an additional nine minutes of stoppage time and some contentious play between the sides down the stretch.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Tesla has seen a contentious year, with the stock giving up much of its postelection gain.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025
The announcement foreshadowed a potential legal battle over one of the most contentious issues in education — and a threat to a state law that is considered a milestone in transgender rights.
—Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
Callender entered in the 86th minute and did not allow a ball to get past him as Inter Miami successfully held off Philadelphia despite an additional nine minutes of stoppage time and some contentious play between the sides down the stretch.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Tesla has seen a contentious year, with the stock giving up much of its postelection gain.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025
The announcement foreshadowed a potential legal battle over one of the most contentious issues in education — and a threat to a state law that is considered a milestone in transgender rights.
—Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentious
Adjective
-
There are also more aggressive interventions for people with severe allergies who don’t respond to other medicines like desensitization therapy, also known as allergy shots.—
Umair Irfan,
Wired News,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The two were very aggressive from the start of the fight, with a lot of output.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And if anything, the absence of the controversial Le Pen family name is a plus for the rest of the French electorate.—
Cole Stangler,
Time,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The outcome could be a litmus test for Trump's influence and the role of Musk's controversial Department of Government Efficiency.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
From Myanmar comes the story of a student turned insurgent who joined a militant guerilla group set on overthrowing the country’s military junta.—
The Dial,
The Dial,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Israel ended its ceasefire with the Hamas militant group and renewed its air and ground war last month.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Andreas typically waits until there have been three instances of potential hostile communication before asking her friend or colleague if everything is OK.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations – most of them from Afghanistan – Pakistan has not always welcomed the foreigners, subjecting them to hostile living conditions and threatening deportation over the years.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Small, combative players who can win second balls will do the job.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The moment was classic Fine, a politician who may be the Florida legislature’s brashest and most combative.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Strong winds also may have North Texans feeling more irritable, which scientists blame on there being too many positive ions in the air.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Signs of overextension burnout include feeling emotionally drained, becoming irritable and struggling to focus—all of which can affect both your work and personal life.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentious. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share