Contentious definition

kən-tĕnshəs
Given to contention; quarrelsome.
adjective
22
4
Always ready to argue; quarrelsome.
adjective
18
6
Involving or causing contention; controversial.
adjective
10
5
Provoking or likely to provoke controversy.

A contentious proposal.

adjective
6
2
The definition of contentious is someone who is argumentative or a situation where there is discord.

An example of contentious is a person who always likes to argue.

An example of contentious is a tense situation that is likely to lead to arguments.

adjective
5
1
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Marked by heated arguments or controversy.
adjective
1
1
Given to struggling with others out of jealousy or discord.
adjective
1
1
Of or marked by contention.
adjective
3
5

Origin of contentious

  • From Middle French contentieux, from Latin contentiōsus (“quarrelsome, perverse”), from contentiō (“contention”), from contendere, past participle contentus (“to contend”); see contend.

    From Wiktionary

Contentious Sentence Examples

  • It has been a contentious issue for decades.

  • There was contentious debate over the use of genetically modified crops.

  • A division of share rights agreements becomes contentious where the target company's country has a domestic CGT regime.

  • Why are contentious topics so often thrown together?

  • Points in the draft that we view as helpful may appear contentious to some of them.

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Related articles

Words near contentious in the Dictionary