Synonyms for contention
kənˈtɛn ʃəncon·tention

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. contentionnoun

   Synonyms:
   wrangling

2. contentionnoun

   struggle, contest, strife, argument, debate

   Synonyms:
   wrangling

3. contentionnoun

   A point maintained in an argument, or a line of argument taken in its support; the subject matter of discussion of strife; a position taken or contended for.

   It is my contention that state lotteries are taxes on stupid people.

   Synonyms:
   wrangling

4. contentionnoun

   Competition by parts of a system or its users for a limited resource.

   Synonyms:
   wrangling

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. contention

   A feud is enmity between families, clans, or parties, with acts of hostility mutually retaliated and avenged; feud is rarely used of individuals, never of nations. While all the other words of the group may refer to that which is transient, a feud is long-enduring, and often hereditary. Dissension is used of a number of persons, of a party or other organization. Bitterness is in feeling only; enmity and hostility involve will and purpose to oppose or injure. A quarrel is in word or act, or both, and is commonly slight and transient, as we speak of childish quarrels; contention and strife may be in word or deed; contest ordinarily involves some form of action. Contest is often used in a good sense, contention and strife very rarely so. Controversy is commonly in words; strife extends from verbal controversy to the contests of armies. Affray, brawl, and broil, like quarrel, are words of inferior dignity. An affray or broil may arise at a street corner; the affray always involves physical force; the brawl or broil may be confined to violent language.

   Synonyms:
   affray, animosity, bitterness, brawl, broil, contest, controversy, dispute, dissension, enmity, feud, fray, hostility, quarrel, strife

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. contentionnoun

   a point asserted as part of an argument

   Synonyms:
   contestation, arguing, disceptation, competition, disputation, rivalry, argument, tilt, controversy

2. controversy, contention, contestation, disputation, disceptation, tilt, argument, arguingnoun

   a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement

   "they were involved in a violent argument"

   Synonyms:
   debate, disceptation, lean, list, rivalry, careen, inclination, sway, leaning, line, rock, argument, tilt, joust, controversy, competition, disputation, literary argument, contestation, line of reasoning, arguing, statement, argumentation, logical argument, public debate, parameter

3. competition, contention, rivalrynoun

   the act of competing as for profit or a prize

   "the teams were in fierce contention for first place"

   Synonyms:
   rival, contestation, competitor, disceptation, competition, disputation, contender, rivalry, argument, arguing, challenger, contest, tilt, controversy

Matched Categories

1. • Assertion
   • Group Action

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. contentionnoun

   Synonyms:
   strife, discord, dissension, wrangling, wrangle, quarrel, squabble, feud, rupture, falling out

2. contentionnoun

   Synonyms:
   dispute, debate, bickering, altercation, controversy, logomachy, high words, war of words, strife of words

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. contentionnoun

   Synonyms:
   controversy, dissension, altercation, quarrel, dispute

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "contention":

   discord, assertion, disharmony, containment, argument, affirmation, allegation, claim, disagreement, dispute, thesis, controversy

How to pronounce contention?

How to say contention in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use contention in a sentence?

1. Tom Ruggio:

   The four paintings are connected and, fascinatingly enough to me, is doing something that most Italian Baroque painters aren't doing any more in the 17th century. Many of them are going straight to canvas, so my contention is, he's part of a Renaissance legacy, and continuing the tradition of working on paper.

2. Kyle Buchanan:

   Everybody has a different agenda for why they want to be in contention, whether it's shoring up someone's reputation or if you're a studio executive trying to lure more people to work with you because you've proven that you can create something that is recognized by the pinnacle of this industry.

3. Jordan Spieth:

   That just took some guts, and having been in this scenario, or having been in contention enough, having been on tour for a few years, I felt comfortable enough playing that full flop. If you caught me a year-and-a-half ago, I probably never would have played that shot in that scenario.

4. John Ulczycki:

   It was a real bone of contention, they weren't happy about it, but they all survived.

5. Abraham Lincoln:

   Quarrel not at all. No man resolved to make the most of himself can spare time for personal contention.