Contentious — Con*ten tious, a. [L. contentiosus: cf. F. contentieux.] 1. Fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking dispute or contention; quarrelsome. [1913 Webster] Despotic and contentious temper. Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 2. Relating to… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
contentious — [kən ten′shəs] adj. [ME contencios < L contentiosus: see CONTENTION] 1. always ready to argue; quarrelsome 2. of or marked by contention 3. provoking or likely to provoke controversy [a contentious proposal] SYN. BELLIGERENT contentiously adv … English World dictionary
contentious — c.1500, from M.Fr. contentieux, from L. contentiosus obstinate, quarrelsome, from contentionem (see CONTEND (Cf. contend)). Related: Contentiously; contentiousness … Etymology dictionary
contentious — quarrelsome, bellicose, *belligerent, pugnacious, combative Analogous words: *contrary, perverse, froward: captious, faultfinding, caviling, carping (see CRITICAL): *aggressive, militant Antonyms: peaceable Contrasted words: *pacific … New Dictionary of Synonyms
contentious — [adj] quarrelsome antagonistic, argumentative, belligerent, combative, disagreeable, factious, perverse, petulant, querulous, testy; concepts 401,542 … New thesaurus
contentious — ► ADJECTIVE 1) causing or likely to cause disagreement or controversy. 2) given to provoking argument. 3) Law relating to or involving differences between contending parties. DERIVATIVES contentiously adverb contentiousness noun … English terms dictionary
contentious — [[t]kənte̱nʃəs[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED A contentious issue causes a lot of disagreement or arguments. [FORMAL] Sanctions are expected to be among the most contentious issues. ...a country where land prices are politically contentious. Syn:… … English dictionary
contentious — con|ten|tious [kənˈtenʃəs] adj 1.) causing a lot of argument and disagreement between people contentious issue/area/subject etc ▪ Animal welfare did not become a contentious issue until the late 1970s. 2.) someone who is contentious often argues… … Dictionary of contemporary English
contentious — adjective 1) a contentious issue Syn: controversial, disputable, debatable, disputed, open to debate, vexed 2) a contentious debate Syn: heated, vehement, fierce, violent, intense, i … Thesaurus of popular words
contentious — adjective Date: 15th century 1. likely to cause contention < a contentious argument > 2. exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes < a man of a most contentious nature > Synonyms: see belligerent • contentiously … New Collegiate Dictionary
