Contentious

Definition

Contentious is an adjective meaning (1) causing, involving, or likely to cause disagreement or public debate; controversial; (2) inclined to quarrel or argue; combative; (3) Law: involving a dispute that is contested in an adversarial process.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /kənˈtɛnʃəs/
• Respelling: kən-TEN-shus

British English

• IPA: /kənˈtɛnʃəs/
• Respelling: kən-TEN-shəs

Etymology

Late Middle English, from Middle French contentieux ‘quarrelsome, litigated,’ from Latin contentiōsus ‘disputatious,’ from contentiō ‘a contest, dispute’ < contendĕre ‘to strive, contend.’ The English adjectival ending -tious reflects Latin -tiōsus.

Derivatives

• contentiously (adverb)
• contentiousness (noun)
• noncontentious (adjective) — chiefly legal, meaning “not involving a dispute”
• non-contentious (hyphenated variant)

Synonyms

• Controversial sense: controversial, disputed, debatable, divisive, polemical
• Quarrelsome sense: argumentative, combative, quarrelsome, confrontational, fractious
• Legal sense: contested, adversarial, litigated

Antonyms

• Controversial sense: uncontroversial, undisputed, uncontested, agreeable
• Quarrelsome sense: amiable, conciliatory, easygoing, cooperative
• Legal sense: noncontentious, uncontested, ex parte (procedurally)

Usage

Adjective: “The proposal to redraw district lines is highly contentious.” / “He has a contentious style that often derails meetings.” / “Probate of the will became contentious when heirs disagreed.”

Related Terms

• Contention: a dispute or point advanced in argument.
• Contend: to strive or argue in opposition.
• Controversy: prolonged public disagreement or debate.
• Acrimonious: angry and bitter in tone, often describing disputes.
• Litigious: prone to engage in lawsuits or legal disputes.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Causing or likely to cause disagreement; controversial — describing issues or topics that provoke debate or division.
  • Example: “The textbook’s treatment of climate policy proved contentious among board members.”
• Inclined to argue; quarrelsome or combative — describing a person or manner marked by frequent disputes.
  • Example: “A few contentious voices dominated the forum with constant objections.”
• Law: Involving a disputed matter subject to adversarial proceedings — opposed to administrative or noncontentious matters.
  • Example: “The guardianship petition shifted from administrative to contentious when relatives intervened.”