contentious
adjective
con·ten·tious
kən-ˈten(t)-shəs 
1
: likely to cause disagreement or argument
a contentious issue
2
: exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes
a man of a most contentious nature
contentiously
adverb
contentiousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of contentious in a Sentence
In the perpetual skirmish between science and religion, biological evolution is a contentious battle ground.
—
Barry A. Palevitz, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 1999
Creator Jim Davis had spent two years fine-tuning the contentious relationship between the grouchy cat, his milquetoast owner, Jon (Davis' pen-and-ink alter ego), and befuddled dog Odie—in a strip he'd thought would be called Jon.
—Beth Johnson, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 1998
Historians, admittedly a contentious lot, have failed even to agree on what to call King Philip's War.
—Jill Lepore, The Name of War, 1998
My mental attitude when drinking is both contentious and malicious, and while in this mood and state I was the author of statements which I know to be wholly unfounded.
—Theodore Dreiser, The Titan, 1914
After a contentious debate, members of the committee finally voted to approve the funding.
The dispute involves one of the region's most contentious leaders.
Barry A. Palevitz, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 1999
Creator Jim Davis had spent two years fine-tuning the contentious relationship between the grouchy cat, his milquetoast owner, Jon (Davis' pen-and-ink alter ego), and befuddled dog Odie—in a strip he'd thought would be called Jon.
—Beth Johnson, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 1998
Historians, admittedly a contentious lot, have failed even to agree on what to call King Philip's War.
—Jill Lepore, The Name of War, 1998
My mental attitude when drinking is both contentious and malicious, and while in this mood and state I was the author of statements which I know to be wholly unfounded.
—Theodore Dreiser, The Titan, 1914
After a contentious debate, members of the committee finally voted to approve the funding.
The dispute involves one of the region's most contentious leaders.
Recent Examples on the Web
The loud and contentious debate about whether Indiana and SMU deserved CFP at-large bids overshadowed the reality of postseason football in both college and the NFL.
—Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
President Joe Biden prioritized student loan forgiveness during his term, introducing broad and contentious programs—challenged by his opponents in the courts—to relieve people of large chunks of their college debt.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
Parker’s statement follows the contentious school board meeting where an overwhelming majority of speakers opposed any plan to break up the district.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025
The former college teammates at UConn, who have also teamed up for gold medals twice at the Olympics—in Tokyo and last summer in Paris—should have no problem moving past that contentious series.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contentious 
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Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
President Joe Biden prioritized student loan forgiveness during his term, introducing broad and contentious programs—challenged by his opponents in the courts—to relieve people of large chunks of their college debt.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
Parker’s statement follows the contentious school board meeting where an overwhelming majority of speakers opposed any plan to break up the district.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025
The former college teammates at UConn, who have also teamed up for gold medals twice at the Olympics—in Tokyo and last summer in Paris—should have no problem moving past that contentious series.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contentious
Dictionary Entries Near contentious
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contentious. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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