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
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
Focus on jail incident One of Johnston’s most contentious moments came when Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, asked him about an incident last week involving immigration authorities’ arrest of a man in the parking lot of a Denver jail.
—Elliott Wenzler, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
European stocks are heading for a higher open on Wednesday amid optimism that U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% duties on Canada and Mexico could be relaxed, with investors also paying attention to the potential reform of Germany’s contentious debt brake system.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2025
President Donald Trump taunted Democrats and fueled new litigation against his contentious policies during his speech to Congress Tuesday while basking in the cheers and applause of fellow Republicans.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Waymo accused Uber of stealing trade secrets in 2016, but the patent dispute was settled in 2018, five days into a contentious trial.
—Joann Muller, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
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Elliott Wenzler, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
European stocks are heading for a higher open on Wednesday amid optimism that U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% duties on Canada and Mexico could be relaxed, with investors also paying attention to the potential reform of Germany’s contentious debt brake system.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2025
President Donald Trump taunted Democrats and fueled new litigation against his contentious policies during his speech to Congress Tuesday while basking in the cheers and applause of fellow Republicans.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Waymo accused Uber of stealing trade secrets in 2016, but the patent dispute was settled in 2018, five days into a contentious trial.
—Joann Muller, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contentious
Cite this Entry
“Contentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contentious. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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