Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- adj. Given to contention; quarrelsome. See Synonyms at argumentative, belligerent.
- adj. Involving or likely to cause contention; controversial: "a central and contentious element of the book” ( Tim W. Ferguson).
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- Apt to contend; given to angry debate; quarrelsome; perverse; litigious.
- Relating to or characterized by contention or strife; involving contention or debate.
- In law, relating to causes between contending parties.
Wiktionary
- adj. Marked by heated arguments or controversy.
- adj. Given to struggling with others out of jealousy or discord.
GNU Webster's 1913
- adj. Fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking dispute or contention; quarrelsome.
- adj. Relating to contention or strife; involving or characterized by contention.
- adj. Contested; litigated; litigious; having power to decide controversy.
WordNet 3.0
- adj. inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
- adj. involving or likely to cause controversy
Examples
“However, he also studies what he calls contentious (eristikos) or sophistical arguments: these he defines as arguments which only apparently establish their conclusions.”
“CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Democrats splinter in contentious health care reform debate « - Blogs from CNN. com”
“I also like the possibility of the DRL keeping a huge parking lot out of that certain contentious Big Box development down on Eastern Ave. Comment by Yukon”
» City Council boards the DRL bandwagon • Spacing Toronto • understanding the urban landscape
“Democrats splinter in contentious health care reform debate”
“Within archaeology, Mr. Binford was known as a contentious advocate for his ideas.”
“SMU Within archaeology, Mr. Binford was known as a contentious advocate for his ideas.”
“The reason The Path has been so contentious is because it isn't particularly pleasant to play; it deals with some pretty uncomfortable issues, and there isn't much of a game mechanic as such.”
“The race to succeed Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) was contentious from the start.”
The Washington Post: Democratic National Committee transfers total $20 million
“There are plenty of reasons why recording a phone call might be useful, ranging from having an exact record of what was said in contentious battles with a service provider through to making notes on work projects afterwards (a common plight for journalists).”
Can You Legally Record Phone Calls In Australia? | Lifehacker Australia
“As we call a contentious era in European history the Hundred Years 'War, so our war in "the Greater Middle East" has already gone on for 30 years, give or take a few.”
Tom Engelhardt: Who's Next? Lessons from the Long War and a Blowback World
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘contentious’.
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GRE Barrons Wordlist
A complete Barron's Wordlist for GRE preparation. Your online flashcard replacement.
abase, abash, abate, abbreviate, abdicate, aberrant, aberration, abet, abeyance, abhor, abject, abjure and 4084 more...
Noelle Knight There was lots of conversation outside the window, most of it contentious. -Charlaine Harris, Living Dead in Dallas Dec 10, 2010
maesepedro "Thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious storm invades us to the skin", King Lear (III.iv) Dec 15, 2007